Nikhat’s 2024 Paris Olympics journey comes to an end
Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen was emotional after her Paris 2024 Olympics campaign ended in the Round of 16 with a 0-5 loss to China’s Asian Games gold medallist Wu Yu. Nikhat couldn’t cope with Yu’s swift movements and excellent footwork, making it difficult for her to land any punches. Nikhat got some success in the second round but it wasn’t enough for Nikhat to beat Yu.
Nikhat expressed her disappointment and ensured she’d return stronger, acknowledging the bout as a learning experience. She highlighted the challenges of facing an unfamiliar opponent and the impact of weight adjustments, having moved down from her preferred 52kg category. Nikhat also faced physical challenges due to weight cutting and a lack of recovery time.
Despite her early exit, Nikhat remains one of India’s top boxers, with significant achievements including two World Championship golds, a Commonwealth Games gold, and an Asian Games bronze. Her loss marks the fourth Indian boxer eliminated from the Paris Games. However, hopes remain with Lovlina Borgohain and Nishant Dev still in contention for medals. Nikhat’s determination to bounce back shows her commitment to future success in the ring.