In 2017, a shoulder dislocation forced Nikhat Zareen to take a year-long break from training.
Nikhat Zareen’s powerful punches secured her a gold medal at the Women’s Boxing World Championships in 2022, etching her name as India’s fifth woman world champion boxer. Following in the footsteps of legends like Mary Kom, Zareen’s victory garnered national recognition and showered her with well-deserved praise.
But beneath the champion’s exterior lies a story of grit, determination, and a silent rebellion against societal norms. Let’s get to know the lesser-known facts about Nikhat Zareen, exploring the experiences that shaped her journey to the world stage.
While athletics was Nikhat’s initial foray into sports, her destiny took a sharp turn at the age of 13 during a visit to the Urban Games with her father. Witnessing a male-dominated boxing ring, a young Nikhat questioned the absence of female participants. The response she received — a societal belief that boxing wasn’t suitable for women due to their perceived physical limitations — fueled a burning desire within her.
This societal prejudice became her personal challenge, prompting her to switch gears from athletics and embrace boxing as her own. “The societal notion that women were weak and that they would face problems getting married if they took up boxing made me resolve to take up the sport,” Zareen revealed in an interview with HerStory.
Nikhat Zareen celebrates her win // Picture Courtesy — The Bridge
Nikhat’s journey transcended the boxing ring. Her mischievous childhood, where neighbors complained about her climbing trees and getting into fights, was a testament to her boundless energy. Recognizing this boundless energy, her father, Jameel Ahmed, channeled it into athletics. Little did he know this would be the stepping stone to a remarkable boxing career.
However, her decision to pursue boxing wasn’t met with universal support. Relatives and even her father’s friends expressed concerns, questioning the appropriateness of boxing for a young woman. They believed a secure government job, potentially acquired through sports quotas, would be a safer path. Furthermore, some held onto the traditional belief that Muslim women should be veiled, and boxing attire challenged this notion.
Despite these criticisms, Nikhat found unwavering support in her father. He encouraged her to focus on her passion and work hard, a belief that remained unshaken even in the face of societal disapproval. Zareen’s success silenced her critics, with those who once questioned her choices now seeking photographs and selfies with the champion.
Zareen’s path wasn’t without its roadblocks. In 2017, a shoulder dislocation forced her to take a year-long break from training. While this setback was undoubtedly challenging, it proved to be a period of unexpected growth. The time away from the ring allowed her to develop her mental strength, a quality that would prove invaluable in her future endeavors.
Nikhat Zareen has emerged as India’s best female boxer currently // Picture Courtesy — Indian Express
Beyond the gold medal and the recognition, Nikhat harbored another dream — to see her name trending on social media. This seemingly lighthearted aspiration mirrored the impact she desired to create. Following her world championship victory, her wish was granted. “Am I really trending on Twitter? It was one of my dreams to trend on Twitter and if I am trending there, I am really happy,” she expressed with joy in a post-victory interview. This seemingly simple desire reflects a deeper yearning for acceptance and recognition, not just within the sporting world but also within the larger social sphere.
Having conquered the world stage, Nikhat Zareen’s focus has shifted towards the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her unwavering determination and fighting spirit leave no doubt that she will approach this challenge with the same dedication and passion that have fueled her remarkable journey so far. Nikhat Zareen’s story is not just about a boxing champion; it’s a narrative of resilience, defiance, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds. As she sets her sights on Paris, we watch with anticipation, eager to witness the next chapter in the inspiring story of Nikhat Zareen.
