NIKHAT ZAREEN
BOXER
I was very nervous but also excited to enter the ring, reminisces 26-year-old Nikhat Zareen about her first-ever boxing match, a state-level bout in 2010. "My only aim was to win it, and I was very happy when I did." Even today, winning is the only thing she thinks of before stepping within the squared circle. The result: a medley of bronze, silver, and gold medals at many international championships that the pugilist won before winning gold at the Women's World Boxing Championships held in Istanbul this year, which vaulted her to global fame. She beat Thai boxer Jutamas Jitpong in the flyweight category and joined Mary Kom, Sarita Devi, Jenny RL and KC Lekha as the fifth Indian woman to become a world boxing champion.
Born in Nizamabad, Telangana, Nikhat is the youngest of four children. Growing up, she often got into trouble, and her father, a former sportsperson, introduced her to running. She turned out to be an excellent sprinter.
"During the summer games, I saw that there were girls in every sport except boxing," she recounts. "My father explained that people believed that boxing was only for men because it involves fighting and the risk of injury. I decided to take it to prove that girls could." The challenge kickstarted her boxing career and egged her on to gold and silver medals at the Junior and Youth World Championships in 2011 and 2013 respectively.
Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Femina.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2022-utgaven av Femina.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Get Out Of Text Tension
Ravina M Sachdev shares insights on how fexting might be ruining your relationship and how it can backfire in the long run
Pick Your Patterns Of Love
Prachi Rijhwani teaches you a thing or two about how to embrace healthy dating practices
TAME THAT TEMPER
You've probably seen children sprawled out on the floor in department stores or during festive occasions. Ever pondered the reason behind their behaviour? It is called toddler aggression and here's how to handle it.
HOW YOUR PALS POWER YOUR LOVE
Prachi Rijhwani discusses the positive impact of healthy friendships on your love life
An ITALIAN AFFAIR
TOSCANO has just opened another outpost in Wakad, and Pune is all for it
MAKING IT BIG
Restaurateur DHAVAL UDESHI talks to Ravina M Sachdev about starting from scratch in hospitality and making it big
SUNDAY BRUNCHES WITH Avartana's Award-Winning Food
Enjoy a Sunday brunch with the meticulously-curated menus at concept restaurant AVARTANA at ITC Maratha, Mumbai.
Of Culture And Curry
EDDIE SCOTT, winner of MasterChef UK 2022, knew that he needed to expand the West's horizon of Indian food beyond the notion of butter chicken and curry. He tells Shraddha Kamdar how he has attempted to do it with his book Misarana
THE WAY OF THE WATER
Happy, luxurious, chic, good times are the only way to roll on a vacation. AMBIKA MUTTOO has found her new favourite spot in the Indian Ocean, and is letting you in on the secret
HOT RIGHT NOW
All things fresh and fun in the beauty space