Golden Punch: Nikhat Zareen boxing her way to glory one title at a time

Nikhat’s father wanted her to become a sprinter but his daughter took up boxing — to prove women can excel in the sport too.

MC Mary Kom had once angrily asked, "Who Nikhat Zareen?" Having responded to the query once in 2022, the trailblazer Nikhat answered one more time on Sunday by winning a second world championship title, that too in front of a roaring home crowd, to become only the second Indian to do so.

With that, she has emerged as the heir apparent to the iconic six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom.

"I am delighted to become a world champion for the second time, especially in an Olympic category and at home," Nikhat, who won the 50kg title, said after her bout on Sunday.

"This medal is for all the supporters," she added.

For someone who had faced taunts and tribulation, twists and turns, societal prejudice and sarcasm on a very difficult road to glory, the 26-year-old was caught in a whirlpool of emotions after her triumph here on Sunday.

As far as Mary is concerned, little did she know that in four years time Nikhat would end up following in her footsteps and become only the second Indian pugilist after the Manipuri to claim more than one world championship title.

Nikhat's father wanted her to become a sprinter but his daughter took up boxing — to prove women can excel in the sport too.