Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen has advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, defeating Japan's Yuna Nishinaka with a 5-0 verdict. The victory was a tough one, with Nikhat having to overcome a scrappy and defensive style from her opponent. With this win, she has set up a highly anticipated quarterfinal match against Turkey's Buse Naz Cakiroglu, a two-time Olympic silver medallist.
Nikhat's pre-quarterfinal bout was a far cry from her usual dominant performances. The Japanese boxer started with a spirited approach, using quick movement and consistent jabs to disrupt Nikhat’s rhythm. The Indian boxer had to adapt and adopt a more measured strategy, which eventually turned the tide in her favor. She began landing cleaner punches and using her footwork to force errors from Nishinaka.
The Japanese boxer's tactics eventually backfired when she resorted to excessive "clinching"; a defensive tactic to halt an opponent's attack. Nishinaka was docked two penalty points for repeated holding, which further tilted the scoreline in Nikhat's favor. From the second round onward, Nikhat was in full control, punishing every mistake with precision and dictating the pace of the match. The final score of 5-0 reflected her dominance and composure in a difficult contest.
While Nikhat's win brought a moment of celebration, the overall mood in the Indian camp was tempered by setbacks in the men's contingent. Four Indian boxers, including Lakshya Chahar (80kg), Sumit Kundu (75kg), Sachin Siwach (60kg), and Narender Berwal (90+kg), were all knocked out in their respective pre-quarterfinal bouts. The losses were a disappointment for the men's team, which had hoped for a deeper run in the tournament.
The upcoming quarterfinal clash with Cakiroglu is expected to be a major test for Nikhat. Cakiroglu, who is part of a strong Turkish women's boxing team, represents a significant hurdle in Nikhat's quest for a third world title. A win in this match would guarantee her a medal at the sport’s biggest stage.