Nikhat Zareen looks to remain injury-free for Olympics campaign

NEW DELHI: By her own admission, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen says she is “nervous” heading into her debut Olympic Games in Paris. Despite being hailed as the country’s best bet for a medal at the Olympics, Nikhat, who will fight in 50kg class, has been experiencing some anxious moments. But the 27-year-old Telangana boxer’s nervousness has a different meaning.
“I am excited heading into my first Games but, at the same time, I am really nervous as well.People will be having a lot of expectations from me to deliver for India and, of course, I will go to Paris with the same mindset. I can’t help but not being nervous. It’s kind of my thing. Before every big competition, I become nervous. Otherwise, my body won’t respond the way I want it to be inside the ring. People may laugh about it, but my body works well when I am nervous, and I can focus better during my bouts. Having said that, I am equally focused and determined to win a medal,” Nikhat said on Wednesday.
Nikhat will be leading the nation’s charge alongside Tokyo Games bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and two other first timers in Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Parveen Hooda (57kg) in the women’s section. Amit Panghal (51kg) and Nishant Dev (71kg) will participate in the men’s division.
With the onus largely on Nikhat and Lovlina to deliver the goods, the former wants to remain injury-free and in good mental space leading up to the Games. “The Olympics will be a lot tougher than the World Championships because all the top boxers will be there. Everyone must have worked really hard to represent their country. So, the effort would be to keep my body in shape by remaining injury-free. It’s also important to live in good mental space because you can’t deviate from your target,” said Nikhat, who felt that her medal-winning efforts in Strandja Memorial meet and Elorda Cup, coupled with her training stints in Montenegro and Turkiye, would hold her in good stead in Paris.
However, the Hangzhou Asiad bronze medallist reckoned that the Olympics would pose a tougher challenge with no seeding and ranking available at the Games. “In the Olympics, no boxer will be offered any seeding or ranking. A lot will depend on your luck…the kind of draw you get in the first and second rounds. From my side, I am working really hard. Let’s hope I get a good draw. I am aiming at one bout at a time," added Nikhat in a virtual interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India.