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Journalism of Courage
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen has asked for better planning when it comes to participation in global tournaments to avoid burnout and ensure that boxers peak at the right time.
Nikhat is scheduled to take part in the World Boxing Cup finals starting in Greater Noida on November 14 and believes it’s important to pace oneself to get optimum results.
“Boxing has a packed season and there are back-to-back tournaments. One has to pick and choose competitions to gain the most ranking points,” Nikhat told reporters on Tuesday at a promotional event ahead of the event.
Since a new world governing body, World Boxing took over the reins of the sport, it has introduced a points-based system where competitors are ranked according to their performance in global and continental events. The accumulated points decide the seedings at major events such as World Championships.
The 29-year-old said the year-long circuit makes it difficult for a boxer to stay at their best for a long period.
“As human beings, it is tough to maintain a peak with such a hectic schedule. We need proper planning. Since the Elite Women’s Tournament in Hyderabad in July, I haven’t had much time. I compete every month but sometimes it’s important to have a break for recovery,” the 51 kg category boxer said.
“After the World Championships (in September), I immediately went to Patiala knowing that I didn’t have much time for this (World Cup finals) tournament. After this, we have the nationals in December. The Asian Championships is scheduled for January and in March, we have the first World Cup of 2026. So, we need to pick and choose tournaments which offer the most ranking points for us.”
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) selects boxers for a tournament after an assessment camp. “Every month there is a competition and before that, an assessment. Hence, we are preparing to get into the national team more than preparing for the tournament,” Nikhat said.
At the beginning of the year, Nikhat had emphasised the importance of mental health at the elite level.
“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,” Nikhat had written for The Indian Express.
Referring to the same topic on Tuesday, she said, “Sometimes I think I need a mental health break so that I can go to the mountains and get some fresh air.”
The Olympian said proper planning was needed to allow the second rung of Indian boxers to get some exposure and competition while the elite pugilists get some recovery time. “BFI is getting a new High Performance Director soon and we will plan it together with coaches on how to get the plan in place.”
After an early exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nikhat returned to action at the World Championships last month, losing to a familiar foe, Turkey’s Buse Naz Cakiroglu in the quarterfinals.
“You are coming back after a one-year break and still are a part of Team India. Then you win two bouts before losing to a very good boxer, a two-time Olympic silver medallist. I would appreciate that I didn’t give up,” Nikhat reflected.
Since then, she has spent more time in the camp and has been sparring with different boxers.
“I have worked on the mistakes I made at the World Championship. We spar three times a week and have to face different boxers in every round. I am positive about my preparations going into the World Cup finals,” she said.
Nikhat is part of the 20-member Indian team for the World Boxing Cup finals. The tournament pits top-ranked fighters in the World Boxing rankings against each other. India is fielding pugilists in each category by virtue of being the host.
