Boxer Nikhat Zareen fighting for first Indian Olympics gold at Paris 2024

Double world champion Nikhat Zareen might be India’s best chance for a first-ever Olympics boxing gold.

Patiala, India – Fuelled by a strong desire to challenge stereotypes and societal norms, India’s Nikhat Zareen took up boxing as a 13-year-old.

The young fighter from a quaint neighbourhood in Nizamabad in the southern state of Telangana dreamed of becoming the best female boxer in India, but little did she know she would exceed even that lofty aspiration.

Zareen’s promising career began with a resounding victory at the Youth World Championships in 2011. And 11 years later, in 2022, she clinched gold in the 52kg category at the senior World Championships – a feat that positioned her alongside the legendary boxer Mary Kom, who won India’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s boxing at the 2012 London Games.

In a strategic move, Zareen transitioned to the 50kg category in 2023, aligning with the weight class featured in the Paris 2024 Olympic roster, and promptly secured her second IBA World Championship gold medal.

Having consolidated her position as the boxer to beat in her division, Zareen has emerged as one of the strong medal chances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which begin on July 26.

Only two Indian female boxers have ever won an Olympic medal: Kom’s 2012 bronze came in the Flyweight division and Lovlina Borgohain collected a bronze in the Welterweight division at Tokyo 2020.

An Olympic gold medal for Zareen would elevate her into the pantheon of Indian boxing greats alongside the six-time world champion, Kom.

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Zareen spoke to Al Jazeera about her early days in boxing, growing up in an orthodox family and her goals for the future.

Al Jazeera: When did you start boxing?

Nikhat Zareen: