Nikhat Zareen, aiming to become India's first Olympic gold medallist in boxing, is relishing her time at the Paris Games after overcoming significant hurdles to get there. In 2019, Zareen faced disappointment when MC Mary Kom was automatically selected for the Tokyo Olympics, despite Zareen's strong performance. Zareen’s request for a trial fight against Kom, and her appeal to the then sports minister Kiren Rijiju, highlighted her determination, but Kom won the trial and went on to compete in Tokyo.
Now, Zareen carries the torch for Indian boxing at the Paris Games. She began her campaign with a decisive unanimous victory over Germany's Maxi Kloetzer. Reflecting on her journey, the 28-year-old expressed her satisfaction with finally making it to the Olympics, stating, "I am really happy that after a long time of wait, hard work, and struggle, I am here at the Olympics representing my country."
Looking ahead, Zareen acknowledges the challenge of facing top-seeded Chinese boxer Wu Yu in the round of 16. Despite recognizing Wu's formidable reputation, Zareen remains focused on her goal of making history in boxing, stating, "She is the top seed. It's a big challenge, but everyone is a challenge for me." Zareen admires Mary Kom as a role model and is determined to build on India's boxing legacy by aiming to improve upon previous Olympic performances.
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