Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen gears up for Olympics debut at Paris 2024

NEW DELHI: Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen , current women's world champion, has expressed enthusiasm for her Olympics debut, aiming to win a medal. Zareen, part of India's boxing contingent for the Paris Olympics , marks her first appearance at this prestigious event.

She conveyed her excitement and readiness through a message on X, motivating herself and her followers.

"Bonjour Paris! I've dreamt of this moment. Now that I'm here, let's make it unforgettable and win some hearts! Ready to pack a punch and fulfill my dream. Let's go! #Paris2024," she wrote.

Zareen is entering the Olympics with an impressive resume. She is the current International Boxing Association (IBA) world champion in the 50kg category, having secured the title in March last year. She also clinched a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the light flyweight category, and a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in the same category a year later.

The Paris 2024 Olympics will see challenging matchups for Zareen. Zareen's opening round in the women's 50kg boxing competition will be against Germany's Carina Kloetzer.

If Zareen progresses from this matchup, her next opponent could be China's Wu Yu, the defending Asian Games champion and the top-seeded boxer in the 50 kg category at Paris 2024. Wu Yu also holds the title in the 52 kg division, while Zareen is the reigning world champion in the 50 kg category.

As per ANI report, should Zareen surpass the challenge posed by Wu Yu, she could face Thailand's Chuthamat Raksat or Uzbekistan's Sabina Bobokulova in the quarterfinals. Zareen had previously lost to Bobokulova in the Strandja Memorial final in February, and Bobokulova had also defeated Wu Yu in the semifinal of that event. Additionally, Chuthamat defeated Zareen in the semifinals en route to winning a silver medal at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.

As she prepares for her Olympic journey, Zareen remains focused on making her debut a memorable one and bringing home a medal for India. The Indian boxing contingent, bolstered by elite athletes like Zareen, aims to make a significant mark at the Paris Olympics.