Faith of the fearless
THE WEEK India|August 04, 2024
Nikhat Zareen wants better than bronze, but being unseeded in the 50kg category could make her path tricky
Faith of the fearless

NIKHAT ZAREEN

AGE: 28 WORLD CHAMPION (2022, 2023) ASIAN GAMES BRONZE (2023)

As per the Indian orthodoxy, disrespect for elders is a transgression of the highest order. The extent of the backlash for this grave offence grows in proportion to the reputation of the senior. Having questioned the supremacy of India's single most celebrated boxer ever, Nikhat Zareen knew it was going to be tough. However, like many successful sportswomen in India, she was armed with the experience of battling patriarchy. Zareen was ready.

Her ask was a fair trial ahead of Tokyo 2020. It was too precious an opportunity. She could not afford to be coy just because six-time world champion Mary Kom was in her division. She got the opportunity, but lost to Kom in the trial. The legend also refused a handshake after the bout. Zareen left the arena in tears. The online trolls pounced. But, the name-calling did not last long.

This story is from the August 04, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 04, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView All
POSTERS OF PROTEST
THE WEEK India

POSTERS OF PROTEST

Appupen is a cartoonist who has published a few graphic novels, the latest being Dream Machine, about how AI can be a great 1 tool for an! authoritarian regime.

time-read
1 min  |
December 29, 2024
CLASH OF THE CIVILISATION
THE WEEK India

CLASH OF THE CIVILISATION

Even as the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation completes a century, some key aspects of this ancient culture remain mysterious, including its script. While the controversy over whether it was disrupted by an Aryan invasion may now be discredited, the debate over Indus ancestry and current links continues

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 29, 2024
A PROVEN PATHWAY TO PEACE
THE WEEK India

A PROVEN PATHWAY TO PEACE

Low-cost, easy to implement, immediate results, and scientifically verified.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 29, 2024
FOOTBALL GIVES THEM A KICK
THE WEEK India

FOOTBALL GIVES THEM A KICK

For the children of Manipur and Mizoram, the great game is a way to a prosperous future

time-read
10 mins  |
December 29, 2024
BATTLE FOR TOMORROW
THE WEEK India

BATTLE FOR TOMORROW

Over the past decade, much has been said about India's potential as a leading global power.

time-read
1 min  |
December 29, 2024
THE TONGUE THAT TURNED
THE WEEK India

THE TONGUE THAT TURNED

Why Greek survived while Latin and Sanskrit declined

time-read
9 mins  |
December 29, 2024
USTAD ZAKIR HUSSAIN 1951-2024: HIS MUSIC WAS THERAPY TO THE WORLD
THE WEEK India

USTAD ZAKIR HUSSAIN 1951-2024: HIS MUSIC WAS THERAPY TO THE WORLD

Flautist and Grammy co-winner Rakesh Chaurasia remembers the maestro

time-read
6 mins  |
December 29, 2024
The magic of indigo
THE WEEK India

The magic of indigo

I really can't imagine why more of us don't throng Goa each December for the Serendipity Arts Festival alone. The festival, in its ninth year now, has the entire Panjim town celebrating.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024
NEW YEAR.NEW HOPE
THE WEEK India

NEW YEAR.NEW HOPE

EQUITY MARKETS HAVE TURNED VOLATILE OF LATE. WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEW YEAR

time-read
4 mins  |
December 29, 2024
Seeking middle ground in Middle East
THE WEEK India

Seeking middle ground in Middle East

The collapse of assumptions is like the end of the world-or worldview. We assumed conwith the 20th century. But wars in Russia-Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Lebanon prove us wrong. Western defence officials now raise the nuclear threat level.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 29, 2024