Nikhat Zareen poses for a photograph along with her belt and the Gold medal as she celebrates her victory within the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship 2023, in New Delhi on March 26, 2023.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Newly topped world champion Nikhat Zareen is eager to use the experience gained within the just lately concluded world occasion to qualify for the 2024 Olympics on the Asian Games scheduled later this yr.
The Asian Games are the primary qualifying occasion for the Paris Olympics for the boxers of the continent.
Nikhat, who gained the 52kg world title final yr, dropped down to the 50kg weight class as it’s an Olympic class.
“This tournament was a good experience. Especially in the 50kg category, which is an Olympic category. I didn’t get seeding also I had to fight six bouts. But in the end, I have won a gold medal here and I am happy,” Nikhat mentioned.
The World Championships was Nikhat’s second worldwide occasion within the 50kg occasion. She had gained the gold on the Commonwealth Games in the identical weight class final yr.
“This is the first major competition in this category after the Commonwealth Games, which did not have much competition.
“But right here nations from everywhere in the world competed and had back-to-back matches additionally my physique was a bit sluggish in some matches. I’ll be taught from these experiences and check out to turn into stronger.” Nikhat is now only the second Indian boxer to have two World titles, the first being the trailblazing MC Mary Kom, who has won six golds.
“I really feel good that I’ve gained back-to-back gold and I’m blissful to proceed this profitable streak. The Asian Games are about to come quickly and other people will clearly have expectations however I’ll take the strain in a optimistic. Whatever the end result it is going to be a great studying lesson for me.” Moving down to 50kg has been a tough task for Nikhat, who has to shed 3 to 4kg from her natural weight to make the cut.
“This World Championships have been harder as a result of final time I didn’t have to put in a variety of effort for weight administration.
“But this time I had to follow a diet and I had to be disciplined and after the Nationals we did not get much time to prepare for the competition,” she mentioned.
‘Looking to identify our Olympic group soon’
Delighted by the Indian contingent’s efficiency on the World Championships, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh mentioned the nationwide governing physique would strive to establish the Olympic workforce as quickly as potential.
World champions Nikhat and Lovlina Borgohain have already certified for the Asian Games and thus have a chance to seal an Olympic berth on the continental occasion.
“The performance in this tournament has been historic. Next is the Asian Games, let’s see how we fare there. Preparation will go on continuously,” he informed reporters on Sunday night time.
“We will try to identify our Olympic team as soon as possible– all individuals in all categories — and focus on them, train them and study the opponents as well. Last time or preparation was left wanting.” Singh reiterated that BFI is eager to host the Olympic qualifiers and is in talks with the International Olympic Committee.
“All these championships that we are hosting, all these are preparatory championships for the Olympics. The big goal is the Olympics.” “We will try our best to host the Olympic qualifier. We are in talks with IOC to host our continental Qualifier. Not just that, we will try to host all the big championships because that helps create a boxing culture,” he added.
In the final Olympics, Lovlina was the lone boxer to win a medal.