Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen believes her experience at the highest level of international boxing will play a key role as she targets qualification for the Paris Olympics, with the Asian Games later this year set to be the first Olympic qualifying event for Asian boxers.
Nikhat, one of India’s most consistent performers in women’s boxing in recent years, said competing at multiple World Championships has helped her understand how to manage pressure in high-stakes tournaments. With Olympic qualification expected to be fiercely contested, she feels better prepared mentally and tactically heading into a crucial phase of her career.
The Asian Games will carry added significance this year, as boxers from across the continent will battle for a limited number of Olympic quota places. For Nikhat, a strong performance there could significantly ease the path towards securing a berth for Paris.
The Indian boxer has enjoyed sustained success on the world stage, repeatedly facing elite opponents from Europe, the Americas, and Asia. According to Nikhat, these experiences have sharpened her ability to adapt quickly during bouts, a skill she considers vital in multi-day tournaments like the Asian Games.
She noted that World Championship events often demand back-to-back high-intensity fights, leaving little margin for error. Handling recovery, tactical adjustments, and mental focus over consecutive days has been one of the biggest learnings she plans to apply during Olympic qualifiers.
“World Championships prepare you for the toughest situations. Every match feels like a final, and that experience helps when you’re competing for something as big as an Olympic quota,” Nikhat said.
Preparations are already underway as Nikhat focuses on fitness, weight management, and refining technical aspects of her boxing. Coaches within the national setup believe her calm approach and experience could prove decisive in tight contests, particularly against seasoned opponents from traditional boxing nations.
The Asian Games will be followed by additional Olympic qualification events, but an early quota would allow Nikhat to plan her build-up to Paris more strategically. Indian boxing officials have consistently highlighted the importance of early qualification to reduce pressure and injury risk later in the cycle.
Nikhat’s campaign will be closely watched, not just for its outcome, but also for the example it sets for younger boxers aspiring to compete at the Olympic level. Her journey underscores the growing depth and professionalism within Indian women’s boxing.
Nikhat will next continue her training program ahead of the Asian Games, where performances are expected to play a decisive role in shaping India’s Olympic boxing contingent.
Looking to shortly identify our Olympic team
Ajay Singh, President of the Boxing Federation of India, expressed his satisfaction with the Indian contingent’s performance in the World Championships and stated that the national governing body would make an effort to choose the Olympic team as soon as feasible.
World champions Nikhat and Lovlina Borgohain have the chance to secure an Olympic spot at the continental event because they have already qualified for the Asian Games.
“This tournament’s performance has been historic. Let’s see how we do at the Asian Games, which come next. He assured reporters on Sunday night that preparations will continue nonstop.
