Patiala, India – Fueled by a strong desire to challenge stereotypes and social norms, Indian Nikhat Zareen began boxing at the age of 13.
The young fighter from a picturesque neighborhood of Nizamabad in the southern state of Telangana dreamed of becoming India’s best boxer, but little did she know that she would exceed even this lofty aspiration.
Zareen’s promising career began with a resounding victory at the World Youth Championships in 2011. And 11 years later, in 2022, she won gold in the 52kg category at the Senior World Championships – a feat that placed her alongside legendary boxer Mary Kom , who won India’s first Olympic medal in women’s boxing at the 2012 London Games.
In a strategic move, Zareen transitioned to the 50kg category in 2023, aligning with the weight category featured in the Paris 2024 Olympic lineup, and promptly secured her second gold medal at the IBA World Championships.
Having cemented her position as the boxer to beat in her category, Zareen has emerged as one of the strong medal chances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which begin on July 26.
Only two Indian female boxers have won an Olympic medal: Kom’s bronze in 2012 came in the flyweight division and Lovlina Borgohain won bronze in the welterweight division at Tokyo 2020.
An Olympic gold medal for Zareen would elevate her to the pantheon of Indian boxing greats, alongside six-time world champion Kom.
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Zareen spoke to Al Jazeera about her early days in boxing, growing up in an Orthodox family and her goals for the future.
Al Jazeera: When did you start boxing?
Nikhat Zareen: I initially liked athletics and competed in 100m and 200m events. One day while training, I noticed women playing every sport except boxing, and I asked my dad, “Isn’t boxing for girls?”
He told me that girls are capable of boxing, but our society thinks they are not strong enough for these (combat) sports. I found this very strange because I grew up playing with boys.
My father then asked me if I was sure about my decision to start boxing and I said yes. I wanted to prove to everyone that girls are strong too. My father understood me and signed me up as a coach in 2009.
Al Jazeera: Your father supported you. Is your mother?
Zareen: My mother agreed for me to compete in athletics, but when she found out I wanted to box professionally, she was a little unhappy. I used to train with boys often and the first time I came home after a session, I came back with a bloody nose and bruises on my eyes. When my mother saw me in that condition, she started crying and said, “That’s why I didn’t want you to learn boxing.”
My mother believed that boxing was very physical and was afraid that if I broke bones or injured my face during sparring, I would not be able to find a groom in the future. I told her, “Don’t worry. If I make a name for myself in boxing, there will be a line of men waiting for me!
Al Jazeera: Did you face any cultural barriers when you started boxing?
Zareen: I had a busy schedule while training for the first few days, so I barely had time to meet friends or family. But whenever my parents talked to our family or neighbors, those people often asked why my parents let me sign up for a dangerous sport like boxing. At that time, our family was not financially stable, so people warned us that we might incur more expenses if I were injured. But my father, a former sportsman himself, always supported me.
Al Jazeera: What are your hopes for the Paris Olympics?
Zareen: I did my best in every competition and won a medal (several times). I will have the same goal in the Olympics, putting in 100% of my efforts. People want me to win an Olympic medal and so do I; it is my dream.
Al Jazeera: Do you feel pressured with all the attention on you ahead of the Olympics?
Zareen: When I wasn’t famous, I dreamed of a time when everyone would talk about me and recognize my hard work. That time has now come. People consider me a medal prospect for the Olympics and I feel blessed that they have such expectations.
There will be pressure, but whenever I am under pressure it motivates me to focus more and stops me from getting distracted by other things.
Al Jazeera: Do you think an Olympic medal will stop your comparisons with Mary Kom?
Zareen: I don’t know. She is an inspiration and a six-time world champion. I don’t think I can break the world championship record. Pursuing this in this day and age is impossible. But, hopefully, I will do my best at the Olympics to reach the final stage and fight for the silver or gold medal.
Mary Kom and Lovlina won bronze medals; I want to change the color of the medal.
Al Jazeera: How do you feel about your rise as a boxer and an inspiration to others?
Zareen: Honestly, I didn’t think it would be an inspiration. My father encouraged me to study boxing because I wasn’t good at studies and there wasn’t much competition in boxing in our state. We believed that I could reach the national championship and get a government job through sports quotas.
I didn’t dream of getting this far, but with each victory I was hungry for more success. I started to love boxing more and more. After I won gold at the World Championships, I received a lot of messages from parents saying they wanted to sign up their daughters for boxing and if I would be available to coach them. Of course, I can’t personally train them now, but after I retire, I plan to build a training academy for children to help them achieve their dreams.
Al Jazeera: Why has India historically underperformed at the Olympics?
Zareen: I would be the last person to share my opinion on this topic because this would be my first Olympics. I’ve never competed before, so I can’t say why some athletes choke or get nervous. When I compete, I will know better. But I decided to stay away from any distractions before the Olympics – like social media – so I stay focused. I played calmly and serenely in all competitions and I want to have the same performance at the Olympics.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
