She has been waiting in the wings for long and now that she has got her opportunity, she is determined not to let it go. Nikhat Zareen, reigning world champion and CWG gold medallist says she wants to win every competition that she takes part in and the eventual goal has to be Paris 2024. She is Revsportz female athlete of the year.
Excerpts from a conversation with Boria Majumdar, which is part of the inaugural episode of Backstage With Boria Season 4.
Boria- Nikhat you are an embodiment of change. Have you thought about it ever?
Nikhat- Laughs. I think about it all the time. L et me give you an example, which will help illustrate this. When I started boxing my mother would be very scared. One time when I was hurt while sparring and had a black eye, she was visibly upset and started crying. She kept saying because of me and because I was sparring with male boxers, my sisters wouldn’t get married. No one would marry them. My father said to her that because of me and one day I will be successful “ghar mein dulhon ka line lag jayga” and that she should not worry. During the CWG when I called home to speak to her I had a black eye from sparring. She asked me what happened and to my complete surprise said it wasn’t an issue and that it will all be well in a day or two. That’s real change for you. If my mother can say this, you can very well realise how things change.
Boria- Nikhat now that you have won the world championship and also the CWG gold there will be a lot more glare on you. How are you looking at the challenge.
Nikhat- I actually look at this as a major opportunity. I have finally got the chance of representing my country and I am not going to let this opportunity go. Having won the world championship gold and the gold medal in front of a packed audience in Birmingham at a weight category which was 2 kilos less than what I competed in the world championship I now have the confidence of doing well in big events. To lose weight and compete wasn’t easy. After the world championship there were a lot of distractions, events and felicitations and then we had a 2 week training period in Ireland. My focus was always the gold medal and I was ready to sacrifice anything to get my hand on the gold. In fact I want to win everything and the eventual goal has to be the Paris Olympics of 2024.
“Definitely it wasn’t easy for me to be a boxer specially coming from an orthodox society” @nikhat_zareen🗣️ on her inspirational journey as a boxer.
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Boria- In Tokyo we had a relatively underwhelming campaign. The only medal was from Lovlina. CWG offered us a platform to turn things around. Thoughts?
Nikhat- Each one of us in the squad had trained well and prepared well. Each one of us were determined to do well and win. Speaking for me personally I was determined to win gold and leave a mark. We have the potential and the ability to do well and it is time to deliver for India at every single event we play in. So you can be rest assured we will do our best in the future as well. Nitu, Amit and I won golds, there were others who won silver and bronze so you can see the effort that has been put in.
Boria- Your story is hugely inspirational. Given your background, the struggles you have undergone, the effort you have put in. How do you look at things at the moment.
Nikhat- Things haven’t come easy so when they come you know how important or valuable they are. We have come here the hard way and life has been full of struggles and challenges. But you know what that’s what allows you to enjoy the success a tad bit more. I have waited for years to represent India at the biggest stages. Each day I went to sleep dreaming of playing for India. Each day was a wait. But now its over and that’s why we have to persist. If you are honest you will get an opportunity. While I was at the CWG I missed my mother’s birthday. I promised her I will bring back the gold medal for her and that will be her gift. I am delighted I am able to do it. To carry the flag of your country, to make people smile, to give joy is a privilege. And that’s when all the struggle that I have been through seems fine to me. I am willing to work the hardest to be able to come to where I have and do something for India.
Boria- You have repeatedly mentioned Paris 2024. That’s the ultimate goal?
Nikhat- Yes totally. We have worked very hard in the last few months and even after winning the world championship we did not take a break. Training has been as per plan and now it is time to go and deliver for India at the biggest stage of all. My pairing with my coach Bhaskar Chandra Bhatt is working very well and we should have some good results coming our way. Hopefully we will be able to do so in China at the Asian Games and finally in Paris. At the moment it all seems like I am living a dream- thanks for the honour of making him Revsportz Athlete for the year female. Means a lot to be recognised. But behind all this is hard work and that’s what I will keep doing. Just need all the support and love that is coming my way.