Nikhat Zareen, The Boxing World Champion, Reigns Her Title At The CWG 2022 As Well

Nikhat Zareen Wins Gold | Nikhat Zareen rounded off a hat-trick of boxing golds for India on Sunday as she joined Nitu Ghanghas and Amit Panghal on the top step of the boxing podium at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday. The reigning world champion secured a unanimous victory against Northern Ireland’s Carly MC Naul in the women’s 50 kg category to bring India’s 17th gold and 48th medal of the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Following her win, Zareen interacted with media personnel and said, “It feels great to be a Commonwealth Games champion, especially after becoming a world champion earlier this year. It feels good to win another gold medal for my country. It was a really good fight. She was an experienced fighter, but my only focus was to win this bout.”

Zareen further said she is excited to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and added that she will take his autograph on her boxing gloves.

Once A World Champion, Always A Champion

The Nizamabad boxer first won the gold at Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria, then made it into the Indian contingent for both the World Championships and the now-postponed Asian Games, went on to win the World Championship title in Istanbul and then aced the selection trials for Birmingham.

She defeated Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas in the 52kg category to score the Women's World Championship title. In the process, she also became the fifth Indian women boxer to win a gold medal at the World Championships, joining a list which includes Mary Kom, Laishram Sarita Devi, Jenny Lalremliani, and Lekha KC.

MC Mary Kom and Nikhat Zareen's rivalry has been one of the biggest in Indian sport over the last few years with both boxers competing in the same Olympics category.

Kom's automatic selection for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was questioned by Zareen in 2019 as she wrote to the sports minister to get an opportunity to fight for the spot. After much controversy, there was a trial and Mary won it with ease, but the end of the bout also saw much bitterness between the two boxers with both alleging improper conduct by the other. The 25-year-old later went through the national trials and competed at the World Championships in May, in her favoured flyweight category, and bagged a gold for the country.

Zareen believes the episode inolving Kom only made her stronger. “For me personally, whatever happened for the Tokyo Olympics, was what made me strong. Because of that, I think, I was able to perform well at the World Championships and hopefully, I will continue performing like this,” said the 26-year-old.

Growing up and growing stronger

Zareen knew the Worlds gold had put a raise on expectations, and she could feel the pressure as well. However, for an athlete who has lived under it for more than a decade, she's certainly learned to embrace it.

"It was not easy for me," Zareen said about her transition to the senior level. "My boxing career has been like a rollercoaster, but after winning these two back-to-back golds, I think it was worth it. All those struggles have made me stronger, not just physically but mentally too. I always believe that whatever happens, happens for a good reason. I kept working hard, never gave up, and finally, look..." she said to ESPN, looking at the gold hanging around her neck.

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