Big blow for Nikhat Zareen: Boxing star set to miss out on Asian Games
Nikhat Zareen lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the 51kg semi-finals at the Patiala trials on Thursday. The defeat rules the two-time world champion out of the Asian Games qualification.
In a significant turn of events at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen has failed to secure a spot for the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Competing in the women’s 51kg semi-finals during the national trials, Zareen suffered a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Sakshi Chaudhary on Thursday, May 14.
The result confirms that the 29-year-old Nikhat, whose form has fluctuated in recent months, will not be part of the Indian contingent for the upcoming major championships. The 51kg category saw further upsets as Meenakshi defeated Nitu Ghanghas, ensuring a fresh look for the squad in this division.
Nikhat Zareen’s participation in the trials became mandatory after she failed to secure direct entry during last month's Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In that tournament, she reached the semi-finals but was outpointed 0-5 by China’s Wu Yu, the reigning Olympic gold medallist. Only those who reached the finals in Mongolia were granted automatic qualification for the Asian Games.
Nikhat's struggle to find a way past Wu Yu has become a recurring theme in her recent career, with the Chinese Olympic champion serving as her Achilles' heel both in the semi-finals in Ulaanbaatar and during her Round of 16 exit at the Paris 2024 Games.
Consequently, while teammates Sachin Siwach (men's 60kg), Preeti Pawar (women's 54kg), and Priya Ghanghas (women's 60kg) have already confirmed their places, Zareen was forced into the Patiala trials to fight for her spot.
BOXING FEDERATION IN TURMOIL
The trials took place against a backdrop of administrative friction between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). Earlier this week, SAI intervened to suspend the BFI’s national camp following complaints regarding a new "marking-based" selection policy.
Critics argued the system, which assessed boxers on sports science and attendance rather than pure results, lacked transparency. Following a show-cause notice from the Sports Ministry, the BFI scrapped the controversial policy and reverted to the open sparring format that ultimately saw Zareen exit the race.
With the 2018 gold medallist now sidelined, the BFI will look toward a revamped squad for the 2026 international calendar.
In a significant turn of events at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen has failed to secure a spot for the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Competing in the women’s 51kg semi-finals during the national trials, Zareen suffered a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Sakshi Chaudhary on Thursday, May 14.
The result confirms that the 29-year-old Nikhat, whose form has fluctuated in recent months, will not be part of the Indian contingent for the upcoming major championships. The 51kg category saw further upsets as Meenakshi defeated Nitu Ghanghas, ensuring a fresh look for the squad in this division.
Nikhat Zareen’s participation in the trials became mandatory after she failed to secure direct entry during last month's Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In that tournament, she reached the semi-finals but was outpointed 0-5 by China’s Wu Yu, the reigning Olympic gold medallist. Only those who reached the finals in Mongolia were granted automatic qualification for the Asian Games.
Nikhat's struggle to find a way past Wu Yu has become a recurring theme in her recent career, with the Chinese Olympic champion serving as her Achilles' heel both in the semi-finals in Ulaanbaatar and during her Round of 16 exit at the Paris 2024 Games.
Consequently, while teammates Sachin Siwach (men's 60kg), Preeti Pawar (women's 54kg), and Priya Ghanghas (women's 60kg) have already confirmed their places, Zareen was forced into the Patiala trials to fight for her spot.
BOXING FEDERATION IN TURMOIL
The trials took place against a backdrop of administrative friction between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI). Earlier this week, SAI intervened to suspend the BFI’s national camp following complaints regarding a new "marking-based" selection policy.
Critics argued the system, which assessed boxers on sports science and attendance rather than pure results, lacked transparency. Following a show-cause notice from the Sports Ministry, the BFI scrapped the controversial policy and reverted to the open sparring format that ultimately saw Zareen exit the race.
With the 2018 gold medallist now sidelined, the BFI will look toward a revamped squad for the 2026 international calendar.
