When we think of an Indian boxer, Nikhat Zareen doesn’t quite come to our mind.
The 19-year-old thin girl from Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh fights in the 54 kg category but is not going to Rio Olympics 2016. Because she is still in the 54 kg category and the Games has three medal categories - 51 kg (flyweight), 60 kg (middleweight) and 75 kg (lightweight).
The World Junior Boxing champion has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit and that got the pugilist a ticket to her first senior-level Women’s World Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan.
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Zareen, who has a natural understanding of the sport, fought with former Australia's flyweight champion Bianca "Bam Bam" El-mir and secured victory comfortably today. The bout set a frenetic pace from the onset and despite the Australian pressing the attack early, Nikhat defended masterfully to close out the first round of her senior international debut.
She will play the winner of the match between Canada’s Adjei Erica and Hamrrani Mariem in the next round.
Also, Mary Kom won her first round hard-fought encounter against Juliana Soderstrom on Thursday. Sarita Devi in 60 kg category and Pooja Rani in the 75 kg category are the other two boxers hoping to qualify for the Rio Olympics 2016.
Nikhat: Hardworking and dedicated fighter
Many had doubts whether this girl from a small town will ever make it big because apparently her relatives and friends believed she was 'wasting' time. But now that the JSW-sponsored athlete has been chalking her own course in the senior boxing ring, don’t be surprised if there is a 'Magnificent Nikhat’ from little-known Telangana in the near future.
However, this implies that there is a lot of hard work in store as she currently boxes in the same category as Mary Kom. Not long ago, she was almost on the verge of beating India's boxing sensation in the qualification stage of the 12th South Asian Games.
While the 33-year-old Olympic bronze medalist has put India on world boxing map, the 19-year-old is slowly following her idol’s footsteps.
Before going to Astana, she spoke on her chances in an exclusive interview to Sportskeeda. This is what she said:
"It feels nice to learn that I have qualified for the World Championships at such a young age. I have participated in the junior World Championships before but representing India at the senior level, that too at 19 years is like a dream come true."
Nikhat, who attributes her success to sheer hard work and the hours of practice she had put in for the last two year added:
"My category is not an Olympic weight category but at the end of this tournament, my target is to say, I've given my heart and soul."
No wonder, she takes the 'Ek din, Olympics pe sab category mein gold aayega' dialogue way too seriously.
