NEW DELHI: India’s flyweight international champion, Nikhat Zareensays she will probably be underneath no drive taking part in in entrance of her house crowd on the upcoming IBA Women’s World Championships, scheduled to be held right here from March 15 to 26.
In truth, she is assured about protecting her World Championships crown in her newly-acquired Olympic weight magnificence of 50kg, following the rejigging of divisions by means of the International Boxing Association (IBA) for the Paris Games 2024. Nikhat had gained the sector name in a non-Olympic weight class of 52kg remaining 12 months in Istanbul, Turkey.
“Had the championships been organized outside India, I would have been under pressure. But since India is hosting the event, I would say I am more confident than ever about defending my title. Playing in front of your home crowd has its advantages. It definitely acts as a confidence-booster. I remember during my CWG final in Birmingham, the crowd mostly consisted of Indian fans. They were constantly chanting my name and that helped me perform better. So, I would certainly say that there will be no pressure on me to perform in front of my home audience,” Nikhat told TOI.
Nikhat said she expects a tough competition in her category because of it being an Olympic weight division. “I don’t know about the draws but it’s going to be very tough. It’s an Olympic weight category and most of the world’s top boxers are coming to compete. Boxers from countries like Turkey, China, Colombia and Ukraine will pose a challenge.”
Nikhat admitted that it was once tricky to chop down on weights and transfer all the way down to the 50kg department. “It’s at all times a problem to scale back your weight. It takes a toll to your frame. I’m a large foodie and love gorging on scrumptious biryani. That is my weak spot. But in my quest for Olympic glory, I’ve sacrificed biryani. Last time I had one was once after the Bhopal Nationals in December. Since then, I have not touched it,” she stated.
While Nikhat has already made up our minds to present herself a brand-new Mercedes if she wins gold on the New Delhi Worlds, the boxer from Nizamabad in Telangana sounded dissatisfied that the development hasn’t been known as a Paris Olympics qualifier by means of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “It would had been nice if the Worlds had the qualifier standing. That would have given us an enormous merit taking part in in our personal yard.”
In truth, she is assured about protecting her World Championships crown in her newly-acquired Olympic weight magnificence of 50kg, following the rejigging of divisions by means of the International Boxing Association (IBA) for the Paris Games 2024. Nikhat had gained the sector name in a non-Olympic weight class of 52kg remaining 12 months in Istanbul, Turkey.
“Had the championships been organized outside India, I would have been under pressure. But since India is hosting the event, I would say I am more confident than ever about defending my title. Playing in front of your home crowd has its advantages. It definitely acts as a confidence-booster. I remember during my CWG final in Birmingham, the crowd mostly consisted of Indian fans. They were constantly chanting my name and that helped me perform better. So, I would certainly say that there will be no pressure on me to perform in front of my home audience,” Nikhat told TOI.
Nikhat said she expects a tough competition in her category because of it being an Olympic weight division. “I don’t know about the draws but it’s going to be very tough. It’s an Olympic weight category and most of the world’s top boxers are coming to compete. Boxers from countries like Turkey, China, Colombia and Ukraine will pose a challenge.”
Nikhat admitted that it was once tricky to chop down on weights and transfer all the way down to the 50kg department. “It’s at all times a problem to scale back your weight. It takes a toll to your frame. I’m a large foodie and love gorging on scrumptious biryani. That is my weak spot. But in my quest for Olympic glory, I’ve sacrificed biryani. Last time I had one was once after the Bhopal Nationals in December. Since then, I have not touched it,” she stated.
While Nikhat has already made up our minds to present herself a brand-new Mercedes if she wins gold on the New Delhi Worlds, the boxer from Nizamabad in Telangana sounded dissatisfied that the development hasn’t been known as a Paris Olympics qualifier by means of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “It would had been nice if the Worlds had the qualifier standing. That would have given us an enormous merit taking part in in our personal yard.”