'Experience of Paris Olympics is behind me, now I am focused on...', says Nikhat Zareen as she gears up for upcoming World Boxing Cup

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen is ready to showcase her skills at the upcoming World Boxing Cup finals, starting from Friday (November 14) till November 21 at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida. Zareen has been training intensely at the Sports Authority of India’s Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (SAI NSNIS) in Patiala for 45 days, alongside a 20-member Indian team, consisting of 10 men and 10 women boxers.

Despite a recent loss in the 51kg quarter-finals at the World Championships in Liverpool, where she was defeated 5-0 by Turkey’s two-time Olympic silver medalist Buse Naz Çakıroglu, Nikhat is eager to return to form. Talking about her World Championship experience, Nikhat said, “It was my first international competition after a year-long break. Losing to an Olympic medalist taught me valuable lessons. My focus is now on the World Boxing Cup, where I aim for a gold medal to kickstart my comeback.”

Competing in front of a home crowd in Greater Noida adds to the excitement. “It’s my first competition in India since the 2023 World Championships, and there’s something special about boxing in front of local fans. I’m determined to make them proud."

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Watch the full interview here

The World Boxing Cup finals mark a significant milestone as India hosts the event for the first time, aiming to elevate the country’s status in global sports. Nikhat views this as an opportunity not just for personal achievement but also to inspire aspiring athletes by competing on home turf against the world’s best. Looking ahead, the 29-year-old boxer is focused on her long-term goal—the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “Though I couldn’t secure a medal in the Paris Olympics, I’ve moved past that experience. Now, my eyes are set on LA 2028, but there are many competitions leading up to it,” she said.

Nikhat also has to adjust to the new weight categories set by World Boxing, which will affect the Olympic divisions. She is working to drop from 51kg to 50kg for the flyweight category. “The pressure is always there, whether it’s adjusting tactics or managing my training regimen. Once I step into the ring, I only focus on the fight ahead,” she explained. When asked about the competition in lighter weight categories, she shared, “It’s tougher in lower weight classes because there are more competitors, which means faster and more agile boxers. In contrast, the higher weight classes often feature slower but more powerful opponents. It’s a tough balance to face both types of challenges."