"Whenever I have a tough draw, I perform well" - Nikhat Zareen oozes confidence going into Paris 2024 Olympics

Nikhat Zareen has expressed confidence in her abilities and backed herself to do well at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A two-time world champion, Nikhat is set to make her Olympic debut at the French capital this year. She secured a quota for India at the event in the women’s 50kg at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

With the Summer Games less tha two months away, Nikhat has stated that she is not worried about potentially facing tough opponents in the early rounds in Paris. She further stated that she performs better when she is handed a difficult draw.

"In the Olympics, there is no seeding, no ranking. So, it's all about your luck there. I don't know whom I'll be facing in the first round or in the second round," she said in an online press conference.

"Seeding doesn't matter that much because there are a lot of boxers who even after seeding, don't win a medal. But I have also noticed that whenever I have a tough draw, I perform well at that time," she added.

---

Nikhat Zareen: "As the days are going by I'm getting nervous"

With Nikhat Zareen set to make her Olympic debut at the Paris Games, she admitted that she was feeling nervous heading into the event. She was quick to state that it was a good thing as it kept her in the right frame of mind.

"As the days are going by I'm getting nervous. It is my thing because when I'm nervous, my body works well and I'm more focused. And also, this is my first Olympics," she remarked.

While happy with her achievements so far, the 27-year-old is eager to fulfill her dream of clinching an Olympic medal.

"I feel blessed and grateful that God has made me so capable that my dream of becoming a world champion has come true. But the journey is not yet over. My ultimate dream is to win an Olympic medal," she added.

India secured a total of five quotas in boxing for the 2024 Paris Olympics — Nikhat Zareen (50 kg), Preeti Pawar (54 kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) in the women's category, and Amit Panghal (51 kg) and Nishant Dev (71 kg) in the men's.