It is destiny smiling back at World Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen as he will get a chance to defend her World title in India at the 2023 Women’s World Championship. However the current champion remembers when she was not allowed to participate the last time when the event was held in India.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) recently signed a MoU of hosting rights of next year’s Women’s World Championships with the International Boxing Association (IBA) in an event in Nikhat Zareen’s presence.
The reigning World Champion remembers how she was left out in 2018 when Mary Kom won her sixth World title during the event in Delhi. While the limelight was on the Manipuri legend during that time and people were in awe of the 35-year-old legend who was still going strong during that time.
But little did people know about the then 22-year-old who would take that as a lesson and work hard on herself and finally she became the World Champion. Nikhat waited for her time patiently and when it came, she struck hard and now the limelight is on her as she is the torchbearer of Indian boxing.
Nikhat revealed how the last time the World Championship was held in India, she was left out and that had left a mark on her career as she was very sad about it. But now her eyes will be on defending the World title in front of the home fans.
“I am excited that India is hosting next year’s Women’s World Championships. The last time it happened in India, I was not a part of it and felt bad about it. Despite that, I came to watch the tournament and learnt a lot of things. This time I am hopeful to defend it in front of my people and win the gold medal for my country,” Nikhat Zareen opened up in an interview with The Bridge.
It has been a beautiful shift of power for Women’s Boxing in India as the legendary Mary Kom has made way for a very talented Nikhat Zareen who is at her prime right now. The Indian pugilist showed her skills at the Commonwealth games as she won the Gold medal for India. Now it is on Nikhat Zareen to inspire girls from the next generation to help them come to this field and take up gloves from a young age.
