Nikhat Zareen’s Olympic debut ended in disappointment as she bowed out in the Round of 16 of the women’s 50kg boxing event at the Paris Games. The two-time world champion was outclassed by top seed Wu Yu of China, losing unanimously 5-0.
Despite the setback, Zareen remained composed after the bout, acknowledging her opponent’s superior performance. However, she later broke down in tears, expressing her regret for not bringing home a medal for India.
Zareen admitted to being dejected by the loss but emphasized that she had given it her all. She acknowledged the tough draw, which pitted her against Wu in the second round, but insisted that she was not expecting an easy path.
The Indian boxer struggled to find her rhythm against Wu’s aggressive style. She landed few punches in the first round, while Wu dominated with her speed and power. Zareen showed more determination in the second round but was unable to overcome Wu’s defensive tactics.
“When I was attacking, she moved quickly and stepped away,” Zareen said. “She was faster than me. I couldn’t take the lead in the first round since I hadn’t faced her, so I didn’t have an idea how to play.”
Zareen’s defeat marks a setback in her Olympic aspirations. She had been one of India’s medal hopes in Paris, having won two world championships in the past. However, she vowed to learn from the experience and return stronger.
“I wouldn’t put this among my disappointments,” she said. “Because I worked extremely hard. I wouldn’t blame it on my performance. I’ve put in all the effort that I could. I will take this as a lesson and will return stronger.”
Zareen plans to take a break before starting afresh. She will spend time with her family and embark on a solo trip to clear her mind and prepare for the future.
