Mentally drained Nikhat Zareen hits out after crashing out of Asiad race
One of India’s top boxers, Nikhat Zareen, has lashed out at the administrative chaos surrounding Indian boxing after crashing out of the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games selection trials on Thursday, May 14.
Reacting after the event, Nikhat said that athletes were left “mentally and physically drained” because of the tussle between the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Nikhat’s hopes of qualifying for the two major events ended after she lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the 51kg semi-finals during the selection trials on Thursday.
Speaking to PTI after the bout, the two-time world champion said the uncertainty over the selection process had made life extremely difficult for the boxers over the last few weeks.
“The last two weeks was like torture for us boxers. I don’t want to blame any one person or body. But the athletes got crushed between the issue between those two (SAI and BFI),” Nikhat said.
DRAMA OVER SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process had descended into confusion after SAI objected to BFI’s proposed assessment-based system following complaints from several boxers. The federation was eventually forced to abandon the model midway and return to the traditional trials-based format.
Nikhat revealed that athletes had spent weeks preparing according to constantly changing schedules while also trying to maintain strict weight targets.
“We were told the camp will start from April 25 but then the sanction didn’t come. Then they said once the camp starts on April 29 the assessment system will also start,” she explained.
The Hyderabad boxer said athletes were warned that missing training sessions or modifying schedules due to injuries would lead to point deductions. Boxers were also repeatedly asked to stay within varying body-weight limits during the camp.
“First five per cent bodyweight, then four, then two and then one. They kept taking weight till May 10,” she said.
Nikhat added that the entire assessment process was eventually scrapped, leaving athletes frustrated after weeks of intense preparation.
“We had physical tests, beep tests, strength tests and everyone gave their best. In the end, we were told that whatever tests we took, the points given won’t be counted,” she said.
The 29-year-old admitted that she now plans to take a break after an exhausting few months.
“I am mentally and physically drained. Since January 2025, I haven’t got a break. Now I want to take a break and prepare for future tournaments,” Nikhat said.
Despite missing out on the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, the former world champion said her focus was already shifting towards next year’s Olympic qualification cycle.
“But I’m looking at the bigger picture, which is the World Olympic qualifiers,” she concluded.
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