As a hectic year of sports gallops to the finish line, India’s top athletes pause and reflect; tell the stories of their podium highs, battered bodies and shattered dreams. In a special series, some look back with fondness, a few others with regrets. But all with the hope – and wish – of a better 2025.
In my mind, there were only two boxers who I was looking at as competition at the Paris Olympics.
One was the Chinese boxer Wu Yu and the second one was Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu. Unfortunately, the Chinese boxer was drawn in my pool and we had to face each other in an early round. That was very disappointing for me. Not just because I was facing her in the starting round, but also because my bout was in the morning session where I knew I wouldn’t be getting any recovery. The night before my fight, I tried to sleep but with no food and no air conditioning in Paris, I wasn’t able to get the rest I needed.
When I lost, I didn’t show any emotion in the ring. And then I came back to the media zone where everyone was telling me ‘Nikhat, well played’. Those words made me emotional. Internally I was thinking, ‘Nikhat don’t say anything in front of the media’. But then a few of the faces were familiar and they were trying to console me. And that made me cry.
Within 48 hours after our bout, we were supposed to exit the Games Village and I returned to India. I had decided that after Paris, I won’t talk to anyone, I won’t meet anyone. I want some time to spend alone. But where do we get privacy in our Indian households? After coming home, everyone visited. And what happens among us Muslims? When someone travels far away or someone goes to travel or goes to do some good work, they give you flowers, they will give you sweets, they will give you money.
India’s Nikhat Zareen during her women’s 50kg Round of 16 boxing match against China’s Wu Yu at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France.
You won’t believe it but I was so shy I was hiding my face like a new bride. I just couldn’t face anyone. I couldn’t even cry once or talk to anyone once I came home. I never show my emotions in front of my family because I have a different personality in my family. They think that I am a dabang type woman. I don’t cry – I make everyone cry. That’s why I never spoke to them regarding my Olympics. Maybe they don’t know much about sports life. They don’t know how we go through it and what we face.
After returning from Paris, I would stay in my room at home all day. Mom used to tell me to come out and watch TV but I would keep scrolling Instagram. Earlier, I would get funny reels but soon Instagram’s algorithm started showing me motivational posts instead of the usual. I used to get reels like, ‘Whatever God does, is done on purpose. Maybe it was for your betterment’.
One day my sister coaxed me out to take a walk. We went and ended up at a pet store. Golden retrievers and chow chows are my two favourite dog breeds. And I picked up one golden retriever. She was comfortable in my arms and my heart was stuck on her. We didn’t have any plan to adopt but my sister told me to take her. I wasn’t sure of my schedule or how long I would be in Hyderabad but my sister said she would take care of it. Now watching Instagram reels in my room alone has gone and playing with ‘Bella’ has become routine.
I also went to Gulmarg for a short vacation. I wanted to trek but it started raining heavily. On the second day, I told him, ‘Anwar bhai, aaj kuch bhi ho trek pe jaana padega’. I didn’t know when I would have to return to boxing but these kinds of opportunities wouldn’t be possible then. I stayed in Gulmarg for a few days and did a few more treks before returning. By the end of the trip, I decided that one day I want to live in Kashmir.
For now, the focus will return to the World Championships in September 2025 and the World Cup Finals being hosted in India. One thing I learnt from Paris was that the competition in India is so tough that by the time we reach the Olympics, things get really tough.
2024 was hectic. 2023 was also full of competitions and camps. Now I know how much I should push myself and in which competition. Everyone wants to win competitions. But no one can push themselves more than their mental health allows. If you lose, you lose.
When I came back, my state government rewarded me with the DSP post. I am very grateful to them that they gave me this job. But deep down, I didn’t get what I wanted in life. I have won medals in the Asian Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. But there is only one medal left. I have to complete that.
– As told to Shashank Nair
Looking forward to 2025
Redemption year: Already a world champion twice, the boxer will have a chance to add a third title to her kitty, a result that could act as a balm after the Olympics heartbreak.
While 2025 will be a key year for boxing—the sport will learn its fate vis-a-vis the LA Olympics—the ambiguity over who runs the sport has led to two World Championships, one by the International Boxing Association (not supported by the IOC) and another by World Boxing, which is fast gaining legitimacy. The World Boxing championship will be in Liverpool in September.
In November, Nikhat will have a chance to shine at home when India hosts the World Boxing Cup Final in November 2025.
Key dates: World Championships, Liverpool, September 4 to 14
India's Nikhat Zareen during her women’s 50kg Round of 16 boxing match against China's Wu Yu at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France. (PTI) 
India’s Nikhat Zareen during her women’s 50kg Round of 16 boxing match against China’s Wu Yu at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France.
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