Larger Noida: Some defeats take longer to heal. Nikhat Zareen has watched her Paris Olympics loss towards China’s Wu Yu many a time questioning what else she might have performed within the ring that day.
Nikhat Zareen in motion on the Paris Olympics. (PTI)
It has taken her months to recover from the frustration and the two-time world champion is able to come again to the aggressive circuit this yr. Boxing being retained for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has renewed her spirits.
“People were saying that there will be no boxing in the LA Games. I thought my dream of winning an Olympic medal was crushed. But now I feel I have another chance to represent India at the Olympics and fulfil my dream,” stated Nikhat on the sidelines of the ladies’s nationwide championships right here.
Having recovered from a minor damage, the 28-year-old is coaching on the Military Sports activities Institute in Pune to make a comeback by Could. The World Championships in September and the World Cup scheduled in India on the yearend are the targets. She shall be aiming for a 3rd world title this yr.
“Post the Paris Olympics I started training but felt some pain (in my knee). MRI showed a minor injury and the doctor told me to do rehab for 3-4 months. I did that in Hyderabad. I am fine now and have been training at ASI Pune since January. But to come back to competitive fitness, ring endurance is important and I will be back in May,” she stated. She is sitting out the nationals.
“The good thing is that we have clarity now about the international calendar and boxing’s future. I was not under any pressure to come back. But now that boxing is back, we have an international federation, it’s a great step and a new experience. The World Championships and World Cup are the competitions I am looking forward to.”
The great defeat in Paris to Wu Yu – the gold medallist – within the Spherical of 16 got here as a shocker. Nikhat had appeared out of rhythm.
“You can’t move on (from defeat) so easily. You have to just accept it and work harder at training. That’s the mindset I have developed.
“I have watched the bout. There were a lot of mistakes. Sometimes you feel, ‘oh I could have used that punch, then it would have found the target.’ But the ring scenario is different. When it happens real time, your mind and body reacts differently. My bout was in the morning session and my body did not recover. I was facing one of the best boxers and my energy level was not up there to fight such a quality boxer. My body was not supporting me. I can only train harder and work on these things.”
Away from the ring, Nikhat enjoys the highlight on her, feeling proud and blessed sitting with 2008 Beijing Olympics medallist Vijender Singh, Manoj Kumar and Sarita Devi.
Anamika, Nitu advance
On the second day of the elite ladies’s nationals, Railways boxer Anamika Hooda stormed into the 50kg quarterfinals with one other huge win. The nationwide champion landed heavy blows towards Andhra Pradesh’s Manasa Veni Anakapalli, the bout ending in a primary spherical referee stopped the competition. She had an identical win (RSC) towards Sikkim’s Prava Gajneer within the first spherical.
Nitu Ghanghas and Jaismine Lamboria additionally progressed with spectacular victories on the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports activities Complicated right here. World champion Nitu defeated Rajasthan’s Anjali Choudhary (45-48kg) whereas Jaismine, representing SSCB (Companies), beat Uttar Pradesh’s Ice Prajapati 5-0.