For reigning world boxing champion, Nikhat Zareen, the year 2022 was all about holding the Indian flag high as she punched her way to three international medals in the calendar to mark a memorable year. Nikhat is also RevSportz’s Athlete of the Year, Female, 2022.
While the laurels and appreciation are flowing now, it hasn’t been an easy journey to the top for the Nizamabad star. Born and raised in an orthodox Muslim family, Nikhat had to face many obstacles but it is fair to say, she has overcome each one of them, like a true champion. Though the young pugilist spent the early days sparring with boys with her being the only girl in the local gym, she found complete support in her father Mohammad Jameel Ahmed, who was also a sportsperson in his youth.
“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 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,” Nikhat Zareen said in a conversation with Boria Majumdar, as part of the inaugural episode of Backstage With Boria Season 4.
After winning the world championship, Nikhat Zareen further cemented her status as the new superstar of Indian boxing by winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in August.
In her maiden appearance in the Commonwealth Games, in 2022, Nikhat outpunched everyone, dominating the ring like never before. Nikhat stitched a winning streak from the Round of 16, winning all three bouts with 5-0 margins in the women’s 50kg category. In the summit clash, Nikhat defeated 2018 Gold Coast silver medalist Caryl McNaul to win the bout by a unanimous decision and etch her name in the history books.
“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,” Nikhat added.
Earlier in May, Nikhat had proved her credentials by bagging the gold medal at the boxing world championships in Istanbul, Turkey. With the achievement, Nikhat joined an elite list of Indian boxers, including Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, Jenny RL and Lekha KC, who have become world champions.
“I used to get thoughts of quitting..” @nikhat_zareen 🗣️ on how she deals with frustration & mental health challenges. Watch 👇
Watch #BWB S04 on the @RevSportz app. Link ⬇️https://t.co/Fx01ky324T@BoriaMajumdar @AgeasFederal @Wowmomo4u @Just_My_Roots@BSV_Global pic.twitter.com/HTRjrZrlP1
— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 1, 2023
Now, Nikhat knows there is a much more public eye on her with greater expectations to bring more medals for India.
“I actually look at this as a major opportunity. I have finally got the chance to represent 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 kg less than what I competed in in the World Championship, I now have the confidence of doing well in big events,” Nikhat said.
“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,” the 26-year-old explained
By winning the World Championship and Commonwealth Games, Nikhat has already cemented her place as a true superstar of Indian boxing but she knows, to stamp her authority in golden letters, a medal for India in the Olympics is what she needs.
With the next big target firmly locked, Nikhat is hopeful of working magic in the 2023 Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics with the help of her coach Bhaskar Chandra Bhatt.
“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 me 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. I just need all the support and love that is coming my way” Nikhat said.
Watch the fourth season of Backstage with Boria only on RevSportz.