Fuelled by a robust want to problem stereotypes and societal norms, India’s Nikhat Zareen took up boxing as a 13-year-old.
The younger fighter from a quaint neighbourhood in Nizamabad within the southern state of Telangana dreamed of turning into the very best feminine boxer in India, however little did she know she would exceed even that lofty aspiration.
Zareen’s promising profession started with a powerful victory on the Youth World Championships in 2011. And 11 years later, in 2022, she clinched gold within the 52kg class on the senior World Championships – a feat that positioned her alongside the legendary boxer Mary Kom, who gained India’s first-ever Olympic medal in ladies’s boxing on the 2012 London Video games.
In a strategic transfer, Zareen transitioned to the 50kg class in 2023, aligning with the load class featured within the Paris 2024 Olympic roster, and promptly secured her second IBA World Championship gold medal.
Having consolidated her place because the boxer to beat in her division, Zareen has emerged as one of many robust medal probabilities on the Paris 2024 Olympics, which start on July 26.
Solely two Indian feminine boxers have ever gained an Olympic medal: Kom’s 2012 bronze got here within the Flyweight division and Lovlina Borgohain collected a bronze within the Welterweight division at Tokyo 2020.
An Olympic gold medal for Zareen would elevate her into the pantheon of Indian boxing greats alongside the six-time world champion, Kom.
Forward of the Paris Olympics, Zareen spoke to Al Jazeera about her early days in boxing, rising up in an orthodox household and her objectives for the longer term.
Al Jazeera: When did you begin boxing?
Nikhat Zareen: I used to be into athletics initially and competed in 100m and 200m occasions. Whereas I used to be coaching someday, I observed ladies in all sports activities besides boxing and requested my father, “Is boxing not for women?”
He advised me ladies are able to boxing, however our society thinks they aren’t robust sufficient for such (fight) sports activities. I discovered that very odd as a result of I grew up taking part in with boys.
My father then requested me if I used to be certain about my determination to select up boxing and I mentioned sure. I wished to show to everybody that ladies are robust too. My father understood me and signed me up for teaching in 2009.
Al Jazeera: Your father supported you. What about your mom?
Zareen: My mom was wonderful with me competing in athletics, however when she discovered I wished to field professionally, she was a bit sad. I used to spar with boys usually and the primary time I returned dwelling after a session, I got here again with a bleeding nostril and bruises on my eye. When my mother noticed me in that situation, she started crying and mentioned: “That is why I didn’t need you to select up boxing.”
My mom believed boxing was too bodily and had considerations that if I broke bones or injured my face whereas sparring, I wouldn’t be capable of discover a groom sooner or later. I advised her, “Don’t fear. If I make a reputation in boxing, there will likely be a queue of males ready for me!”
Al Jazeera: Did you face any cultural limitations once you began boxing?
Zareen: I had a busy schedule whereas I skilled in my early days, so I barely had time to fulfill mates or household. However every time my mother and father spoke to our prolonged household or neighbours, these folks would usually ask why my mother and father let me join a harmful sport like boxing. At the moment, our household wasn’t financially secure, so folks would warn us that we would incur extra bills if I underwent accidents. However my father, being a former sportsman himself, all the time supported me.
Al Jazeera: What are your hopes for the Paris Olympics?
Zareen: I’ve given my greatest in all of the competitions and gained a medal (a number of instances). I’ll purpose for a similar on the Olympics, placing in 100% of my efforts. Folks need me to win an Olympic medal and so do I; it’s my dream.
Al Jazeera: Do you’re feeling beneath strain with all the eye on you earlier than the Olympics?
Zareen: Once I was not well-known, I might dream a few time when everybody would discuss me and recognise my laborious work. That point has come now. Persons are counting me as a medal prospect for the Olympics and I really feel blessed that they’ve such expectations.
There will likely be strain, however every time I’m beneath strain, it motivates me to focus extra and stops me from getting distracted by different issues.
Al Jazeera: Do you assume an Olympic medal will cease your comparisons with Mary Kom?
Zareen: I don’t know. She is an inspiration and a six-time world champion. I don’t assume I can break her world championship report. Chasing that in immediately’s time is inconceivable. However hopefully, I’ll attempt my greatest on the Olympics to get to the ultimate spherical and combat for a silver or gold medal.
Mary Kom and Lovlina gained bronze medals; I need to change the color of the medal.
Al Jazeera: How do you’re feeling about your rise as a boxer and an inspiration for others?
Zareen: Truthfully, I didn’t assume I might be an inspiration. My father inspired me to take up boxing as a result of I wasn’t nice at research and there wasn’t a lot competitors in boxing in our state. We believed I may make it to the nationwide and get a authorities job by way of sports activities quota.
I hadn’t dreamed of reaching to date, however with each victory, I used to be hungry for extra success. I started loving boxing increasingly. After I gained the World Championship gold, I received numerous messages from mother and father saying they wished to enroll their daughters for boxing and whether or not I might be obtainable to coach them. After all, I can’t personally practice them proper now however after I retire, I plan to construct a coaching academy for youngsters to assist them obtain their desires.
Al Jazeera: Why has India traditionally underperformed on the Olympics?
Zareen: I might be the final individual to share my views on this subject as a result of this may be my first Olympics. I haven’t competed earlier than, so I can’t let you know why some athletes choke or really feel nervous. Once I compete, I’ll know higher. However I’ve determined to avoid any distractions earlier than the Olympics – resembling social media – so I stay centered. I’ve performed in a peaceful and composed method in any respect competitions and need to carry out in the identical method on the Olympics.
