As a busy year for sports approaches the finish line, India’s top players pause and reflect; Tell stories of their podium high, shattered bodies and shattered dreams. In a particular series, some look back with fondness, some with regret. But everyone hopes – and wishes – for a better 2025.
In my mind, there were only two boxers I was watching as competition at the Paris Olympics.
One was Chinese boxer Wu Yu and the other was Turkish bus Naz Cakiroglu. Unfortunately, the Chinese boxer was drawn to my pool and we had to face each other in the preliminary round. That was very frustrating for me. Not only because I faced him in the opening round, but also because my bout was in the morning session, I knew I wasn’t going to recover at all. The night before my fight, I tried to sleep but with no food and no air conditioning in Paris, I couldn’t get the rest I needed.
When I lost, I showed no emotion in the ring. And I went back to the media where everyone was telling me ‘Niket, well played’. Those words made me emotional. Inside, I was thinking ‘Nikat should not say anything in front of the media’. But then some faces were familiar and they were trying to comfort me. And it made me cry.
Within 48 hours of our encounter, we were to leave Khel Village and I returned to India. I had decided that after Paris I would not talk to anyone, I would not see anyone. I want to spend some time alone. But where do we find privacy in our Indian households? Everyone met after coming home. And what about us Muslims? When someone goes on a long trip or someone goes on a trip or goes to do some good deed, they give you flowers, they give you sweets, they give you money.
India’s Nikhat Zarin during the 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 embarrassed that I hid my face like a new bride. I can’t face anyone. After coming home, I couldn’t even cry once, nor could I talk to anyone. I never show my feelings in front of my family because I have a different personality in my family. They think I am a domineering type of woman. I don’t cry – I make everyone cry. So I never talked to them about 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 used to stay in my room all day. Mom used to tell me to come outside and watch TV but I kept scrolling through Instagram. At first, I would get funny reels but soon Instagram’s algorithm started showing me motivational posts instead of normal ones. I used to get reels like ‘Whatever God does, He does it by intention’. Maybe it was for your own good.
One day my sister called me for a walk. We went to the pet store. Golden retrievers and chow chows are two of my favorite dog breeds. And I picked up a golden retriever. She was comfortable in my arms and my heart was stuck to her. We had no plans to adopt but my sister asked me to take her. I was not sure about my schedule or how long I would stay in Hyderabad but my sister said she would take care of it. Now the habit of watching Instagram reels alone in my room is gone and playing with ‘Bella’ has become a routine.
I also went to Gulmarg on 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 padega pe trek‘. I didn’t know if I would ever get back into boxing but opportunities like this would not have been possible back then. I stayed in Gulmarg for a few days and trekked some more before returning. At the end of the trip, I decided that one day I would like to live in Kashmir.
For now, the focus will turn to the World Championships in September 2025 and the World Cup finals to be held in India. One thing I learned from Paris is that the competition in India is so tough that by the time we get to the Olympics, things get really tough.
2024 was busy. 2023 was also full of tournaments and camps. Now I know how much and in which competitions I should push myself. Everyone wants to win competitions. But no one can push themselves more than their mental health allows. If you lose, you lose.
After my return, my state government rewarded me with the post of DSP. I am very grateful to them for giving me this job. But deep down, I couldn’t find what I wanted in life. I have won medals in Asian Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. But only one medal remains. I have to complete that.
– said Shashank Nair
Looking forward to 2025
Salvation Year: Already a two-time world champion, the boxer will get a chance to add a third title to his kitty, which could act as a balm after the Olympic heartbreak.
Although 2025 will be an important year for boxing—the sport will learn its fate at the LA Olympics—uncertainty over who will run the sport has led to two world championships, one by the International Boxing Federation (not supported by the IOC) and the other by World Boxing, which hastened legitimacy. is receiving The World Boxing Championships will be held in Liverpool in September.
In November, Nikat will get his 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
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