'Sports gave me the platform, and today, it allows me to serve in a greater capacity. This is not just my achievement, but our collective triumph. With all my heart, thank you!'
The last year proved to be a period of reflection for Nikhat Zareen, one that taught her to temper expectations while also strengthening her resolve to fulfil her dream of becoming an Olympic champion.
Star boxers Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain endured contrasting outings on their international return
Apart from Nikhat, Manisha Moun and Parveen Hooda, both of whom bronze medal at the Women's World Boxing Championships, met the Prime Minister.
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen powered into the women's 50kg Olympics pre-quarterfinals with a tenacious victory over Germany's Maxi Carina Kloetzer in Paris on Sunday.
'No victory is complete without your idol's blessings,' Nikhat tweeted.
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen (50kg) bowed out of the Olympic Games after a shock defeat to Asian Games gold-medallist Wu Yu of China on Thursday.
Simplicity is the greatest kind of style and Nikhat has mastered it.
Nikhat Zareen, Manisha Moun and Parveen Hooda, who brought honour to the country at the women's World Boxing Championships 2022, were felicitated by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur.
Nikhat registered a dominating 5-0 victory, thrashing Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas without breaking a sweat in the 52kg final with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 in the Indian's favour.
She becomes only fifth Indian woman boxer to achieve this feat.
Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen will lead the Indian contingent at the Asian Boxing Championships in Mongolia.
The 25-year-old boxer from Telangana thrashed Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas without breaking a sweat in the 52kg final with the judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 in Nikhat's favour.
'It is totally their own choice. I can't comment on their choices.'
Nikhat Zareen secured a Paris Olympics berth and assured herself of a medal as she cantered to the 50kg semi-finals of the Asian Games.
Dominant efforts by two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Amit Panghal headlined Indian boxers' march into six finals at the 75th Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday.
Nikhat beat the reigning African champion by a 5-0 unanimous verdict to notch her second win in the tournament.
Nikhat Zareen bowed out of the Olympics after a heartbreaking 0-5 loss to China's Wu Yu on Thursday.
As boxer Nikhat Zareen prepares to head to her first World Championships in the 51 kg category, she feels she has plenty in her armoury to go the distance.
'All I am saying is just give me a chance. It is my dream to compete in the Olympics too.'
'I am not saying let me go to the Olympics. I am asking for a fair chance for a trial.'
'All these years I have been training for what? What is the point if I cannot compete?'
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja was among the first to post Eid greetings on his social media handles.
Nikhat, Jaismine and four other Indian boxers march into finals
Nikhat, Ankushita advance to semifinals with dominant wins
Nikhat, Lovlina win titles at Boxing Nationals; Hussamuddin caps comeback with gold
Nikhat's form augurs well for India with the Olympics coming up next year.
The 23-year-old Jamwal registered a comprehensive unanimous decision victory over Assam's Shiva, underlining his emergence from the shadow of his senior compatriot.
Indian women boxers, led by star pugilist Nikhat Zareen, lived up to their top billings to claim seven gold medals, while Hitesh Gulia and Sachin Siwach also clinched the coveted yellow metal at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida on Thursday.
Two-time gold medallist Nikhat Zareen has put behind the disappointment of missing out on a third World Championships medal, and is now focussed on collecting maximum ranking points by winning the top prize in the upcoming World Boxing Cup Finals.
Nikhat made short work of Brazil's Caroline De Almeida to notch up a dominant 5-0 win.
Nikhat, who recently won a silver medal at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament 2025, is bolstering her preparations and hopes to make India proud by clinching a medal.
Unseeded in the draw, Nikhat overcame a scrappy women's 51kg round of 16 contest to secure a unanimous decision, though the scoreline did not reflect the stiff resistance from her 21-year-old opponent.
India's Nikhat Zareen who carries India's boxing hopes in the Paris Olympics started well on Sunday with a unanimous opening round win over Germany's Maxi Kloetzer.
Don't be surprised of Bollywood projects come her way once she bids adieu to the boxing ring.
It wasn't her day, acknowledged Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen dwelling on her shocking medal-less Olympic campaign but asserted that she would be back stronger with the help of a personal coach that she is currently trying to find.
Promising youngster Jadumani Singh upstaged seasoned campaigner Amit Panghal to storm into the final
President Murmu honours Indian women boxers after medal haul in Liverpool
Former Youth World Championships gold medallist Poonam Poonia produced a fearless display to hand defending 54kg champion Sakshi Chaudhary a shock defeat, causing the first major upset of the National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida on Thursday.
With 48kg not part of the Olympic programme, the choices were limited.
Two-time world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen isn't fazed by the prospect of facing tough opponents early in her Olympic debut
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances