A look at Nikhat Zareen's qualification for Paris Olympics 2024

The two-time boxing world champion is one of India’s medal contenders at Paris Olympics 2024.

Boxing is one of the oldest sports on the Olympic circuit and has been a regular feature at the Olympics since the 1904 St. Louis Games. But, it took them more than a century to bring in women’s boxing, as they started punching for medals since the 2012 London Olympics.

It was seen as a welcome move for India as the then-world champion was representing India. Mary Kom, who was a five-time world champion represented India and won the bronze medal in the 51kgs flyweight category.

Having missed out on qualifying for Rio 2016, she booked her place for one last shot in Tokyo. But, the qualification was marred by controversy as a certain Nikhat Zareen, whose inspiration was Mary Kom, wanted a trial to decide India’s nomination for Tokyo.

While it raised the eyebrows of many, Nikhat Zareen, with utmost respect for her role-model, wanted to ensure India got the best shot at an Olympic medal.

It was Mary Kom who won that battle but couldn’t convert it into a medal. Four years down the line, Nikhat Zareen will be fulfilling her dream of representing the nation at the Olympics.

How did Nikhat Zareen qualify for Paris Olympics 2024?

At Paris Olympics 2024, a total of 249 boxers—124 women and 125 men—will compete in boxing. Flyweight 51kgs, featherweight 57kgs, lightweight 63.5kgs, welterweight 71kgs, middleweight 80kgs, heavyweight 92kgs and super heavyweight 92+ kgs are the seven divisions in which the men will compete.

Six events in six different weight classes are scheduled for the women’s division: flyweight 50kgs, bantamweight 54kgs, featherweight 57kgs, lightweight 60kgs, welterweight 66kgs and middleweight 75kgs.

The qualification was based on continental qualification tournaments and a couple of Olympic qualification tournaments.

For India, it was the continental tournament of the 2023 Asian Games. The 28-year-old booked her ticket to Paris thanks to a bronze medal-winning performance at the Asiad.

Nikhat Zareen’s Journey to Paris Olympics

Although Mary Kom’s retirement has ensured Nikhat Zareen as the No. 1 contender from India for the flyweight category, the boxer from Nizamabad wanted to earn her spot.

She did that by winning the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul. To make her Olympic dreams come true, she dropped herself from the 52kgs to the 50kgs category at the 2023 World Championships.

As a result, she was unseeded and was given a tough draw. But, her perseverance to be the best helped her become a two-time world champion. She continued to fight in the light flyweight category at the Commonwealth Games and finished at the top of the podium.

The 28-year-old went into the Asian Games as the favourite to get another gold, but had to settle for a bronze after suffering a shocking 3-2 split decision verdict to Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat.

Nikhat Zareen run to the Paris Olympics 2024

Nikhat will be making her Olympic debut in Paris in the flyweight 50kgs division. She has been in great form with a silver medal-winning performance at the Strandja Memorial and a gold at the Elorda Cup.

Also read: A look at Neeraj Chopra’s qualification for Paris Olympics 2024

She will be one of the bright medal prospects for India and has been training in Turkey under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) of the sports ministry.

Career Highlights

AIBA Women’s Junior & Youth Champion – 2011

Strandja Memorial Boxing Champion – 2019 & 2022

Asian Championships Bronze – 2019

Thailand Open Championships Silver – 2019

World Championships Gold – 2022 & 2023

Commonwealth Games Gold – 2022

Asian Games Bronze – 2023

Arjuna Award – 2022

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