On Friday, 10 March, during a media interaction ahead of the 2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships, Nikhat Zareen was asked if she had butterflies in the stomach. "Sirf butterflies nahi, sab kuch chal raha hai," (not just butterflies, everything is fluttering) Zareen quipped.
The nerves and the excitement are understandable as she returns to the tournament that made her. Last May, when given an opportunity to battle in her preferred weight category at the event for the first time, Zareen had gone on to decimate her opponents in the ring. She scored five unanimous (5-0) wins and was crowned world champion in the flyweight (52kg) weight class. In the whirlwind ten months that followed, Zareen won a gold (50kg) at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, was congratulated by her idol and former rival M.C. Mary Kom, and met with her celebrity crush Salman Khan.
Less than a year after she was thrust into the spotlight, Zareen will spearhead the Indian challenge as the country hosts the Women's World Boxing Championships from 15-26 March. "If this would not have been held in India there would have been pressure but since it is happening in India, you attain a different level of confidence because of the home crowd," said Zareen.
Hosts India will field a boxer in each of the 12 weight categories at the event, which offers a total prize money of $2.4 million. Along with Zareen, the Indian squad also includes Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), 2022 World championship bronze medallist Manisha Moun (57kg) and 2022 CWG gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas (48kg).
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Quick Edit: The market's green role
The world needs to bend its rising curve of carbon emissions, a goal that's proving elusive. Adding to the challenge, US climate policy is likely to flip back into neglect mode next year.
Growth shouldn't suffer for want of a market fix
Packaged food companies should drive a food-processing revolution and run a campaign for substitution of fresh-veggie demand. It'll crush price volatility and open up space for rate cuts
We should reform import tariffs to boost Make in India!
Tariff reforms to resolve duty inversions can arrest the 'cost competitiveness leak' of Indian manufacturing
Trying to quantify everything may worsen human decisions
'Quantification fixation' is real—and we should learn to resist it
Hope has sprung anew amid the thick haze hovering over COP-29
The climate summit has seen rules being ratified for a carbon market, progress on finance and high corporate participation
Trump's return is set to send the world scouting for fresh options
His confrontational stand on issues will ruffle feathers and make nations review their alignments
Why national pride has not helped clean up Delhi's air
A sense of shame was expected to get it done. That hasn't worked. Do we lack the will and talent?
SEBI CAN DO MORE TO DISSUADE RETAIL F&O SPECULATION
A recent Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) report highlighted the significant losses individual traders have incurred in the equity futures and options (F&O) segment between FY22 and FY24.
Is filing ITR in old regime still valid?
I am with the Indian Army. Until last year, we received Form 16 under the old tax regime, including allowances such as HRA, travel and uniform.
Avoid common mistakes in NRO, NRE accounts: A guide for NRIs
Tips on using NRE and NRO accounts to effectively manage funds, repatriate money and remain tax-compliant
