Nikhat Zareen's journey back from Paris Olympics heartbreak - Hyderabad's boxing sensation eager to start fresh

The Hindu

6 hours ago

'Hyderabad is known for two things: the delicious biryani and its very own boxing ki rani.'
Nikhat Zareen's wit, razor-sharp, like her punches, was on full display at a recent event in her hometown, where she cheekily corrected the emcee's introduction. It made the crowd laugh. But beneath the jest was something more: a glimpse into how Nikhat sees herself, and a gentle reminder that the confidence once shaken in Paris has been slowly and deliberately rebuilt.
A year ago, Nikhat left the Paris Olympics with her dreams bruised. Her early exit was unexpected, and the sting of disappointment lingered. But time and introspection have worked their quiet magic. This version of Nikhat is steadier, wiser, and, crucially, more forgiving of herself.
But despite the setbacks, Nikhat isn't someone who stays down for long. Every obstacle, she says, is fuel. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
'There are a lot of things that have happened in the past. I don't want to focus on negatives. I just want to focus on the positive things that I have learned from Paris. It was a memorable competition for me. Not everyone gets the chance to represent India at the Olympics. I count myself lucky that at least I had the opportunity to go to the Olympics,' she said in a chat with Sportstar.
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Not written in the stars
If Paris taught her anything, it was that medals aren't won by hard work and belief alone. Bigger forces often come into play.
'Paris was my first experience at the Olympics. I used to hear a lot about the Olympics from my seniors, about how it is not an easy event, how winning other competitions is easier. It's not easy because once you go there, there are a lot of expectations from you and a lot of pressure from everyone,' she said.
'But when I went to the Olympics, what I experienced is that it's not just about working hard and having that belief in you that you can win medals. Sometimes it's also about destiny, it's also about luck. Sometimes that also matters a lot in your journey.'
Her eyes had been on two specific contenders: China's Wu Yu and Turkey's Buse Naz Cakiroglu. Nikhat wasn't afraid to face them, but she had hoped to meet them only at the tail end of the draw.
Fate, of course, had other plans.
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A series of unfortunate events
'My only hope was that these two boxers should not face me in the initial rounds and that they should face me in the semifinals or the final. Unfortunately, I faced one of them, the Chinese girl, in the early rounds. It was bad luck,' she said, recalling her defeat to the then reigning Asian Games champion.
And that wasn't the only factor working against her.
'That bout was in the morning at 11 o'clock. There was no time for recovery, and we also had no air conditioning in Paris. If you take everything, it was quite clear that it (succeeding there) was not written in my destiny,' Nikhat brushed off with a laugh.
For someone known for her bindaas, steely exterior, it was a rare glimpse behind the armour. The Olympics had clearly left their mark — and not just physically.
File | China's Wu Yu being declared winner in the women's 50kg Round of 16 boxing match against India's Nikhat Zareen at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI
'As soon as I came back from Paris, I ate everything at home. I ate everything that I do not usually eat. I gained seven kgs as soon as I came back, within one month. I know that's very unhealthy, but what can I do? That time, my mindset was like that. I didn't care about anything. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't want to go anywhere,' she explained.
It was Bella, the golden retriever she and her sister had adopted, and a timely escape from routine that helped her find her footing again.
'I sat and thought that this was not going to help me. It would only spoil me. I needed to get out of that zone. I do not want to overthink and stay in the shadow of disappointment. I didn't want to be in that disappointment phase. I want to move on and come back stronger. I'm in that phase of life. So, I decided to go on a trip to Kashmir, which really helped me to come back.'
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The comeback began with conviction — but too much, too fast. In pushing herself harder, she picked up a meniscus injury and spent nearly four months recovering. Her return came at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad last month, with one goal: re-enter the elite national camp.
The two-time World Champion and home favourite made it to the final in the 51kg category but had to withdraw before her bout with Jyoti due to a minor injury.
Nikhat is not trading ambition for ease. But she's not letting boxing monopolise her life either. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
'Sometimes I feel like meri kismat hi kharaab hai (I'm just unlucky). Maybe no one is as unlucky as I am.'
But despite the setbacks, Nikhat isn't someone who stays down for long. Every obstacle, she says, is fuel.
'These challenges break me, but they also make me stronger. Each obstacle makes me stronger and hungrier to achieve my goals. It's an interesting journey going on in my life right now. I am enjoying whatever life is throwing my way. I always tell myself, 'Nikhat, you are stronger. You are stronger than ever. You can handle this.' Always.'
Much of her recent progress, she says, is thanks to Sunny, a coach from the Sports Authority of India with whom she began working this year.
'I spoke to the federation and TOPS about needing a coach and finally decided to work under Sunny. I was training in ASI Pune for five months under him, and he has helped me regain my fitness levels. He has played a major role after the Paris Olympics in helping me get back into the national team.'
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Present perfect
At 29, Nikhat has only one Olympics under her belt — but the lessons have been profound. Chief among them: live in the moment, both inside and outside the ring.
'I know what I want in my life. At the same time, I just don't want to be blindly focused on that because when you don't get that, then you're totally shattered. That is what happened in Paris. Every time in my mind, there was only the thought of winning a medal. I left everything for it. I didn't eat junk food for so long. I didn't focus on eating sweets because I followed a strict diet. But what happened in Paris? I got broken. Literally broken.'
'I'm pushing myself every day, telling myself that whatever has happened in the past is in the past. Let's see what the future holds for me. Paris has taught me to focus on the present. I don't care what the future holds for me, what it brings in my life.'
Two major events now dominate her calendar: the World Boxing Championships and the Boxing World Cup. The 2028 Olympics are on the horizon, but she's careful not to get consumed by it.
'I just don't want to put pressure on myself like, 'Oh, what will happen in the World Championship? What will happen in LA?' No, I just want to live in the present and give my 100% in training and just enjoy my workouts, enjoy the game. I don't want to ruin my present thinking about the future. I just want to enjoy my training, enjoy my life.'
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She's not trading ambition for ease. But she's not letting boxing monopolise her life either.
'Being an athlete, you have to be focused and disciplined. But at the same time, I have my life also. I know that once I leave boxing, when I look back, I'll regret that didn't do this and that. At the same time, I also want to live to the fullest. I want to do everything. I want to win a medal, I want to work hard, and I want to enjoy life. Because you only live once.'
Nikhat has now made it to the Indian team heading to Liverpool, England, for the World Boxing Championships in September. It will be her first international bout since the heartbreak in Paris.
'I'm working hard again. I am seeing this as the start of my Olympic cycle. So I'll keep pushing myself. This is my first competition after the Paris Olympics, and I'll have butterflies in my stomach when I go there. But once I enter the ring, my mind will be set only on winning that match and the competition.'
Nikhat stormed into public view as a teenager, carving a path through the youth ranks, braving the politics of challenging Mary Kom, and refusing to wilt under pressure.
She's still doing exactly that.
'I'm still that Nikhat Zareen who has that hunger to achieve and make the country proud. I'm happy that I'm finally back in the national team. Now the focus is on winning the medal.'.