2024 Paris Olympics: Boxer Nikhat Zareen storms into pre-quarterfinals
What's the story
Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen is off to a flier at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She stormed into the women's 50kg boxing pre-quarter-finals after beating Germany's Maxi Kloetzer. The 28-year-old claimed a 5-0 unanimous win in the Round of 32. Zareen will next face top seed Wu Yu of China, who received a bye in the first round. Here are further details.
Olympics
Zareen among medal hopefuls
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen is among the medal hopefuls for India in boxing. She is competing in her first Olympic Games. As of now, India has three medals in boxing at the Olympics - Vijender Singh (bronze at 2008 Beijing), Mary Kom (bronze at 2012 London), and Lovlina Borgohain (bronze at 2020 Tokyo). Notably, Borgohain is a contender this time as well.
Statement
One bout at a time: Zareen
Notably, Zareen entered as an unseeded boxer on her Olympics debut. "My Olympic strategy is to take each bout one at a time and my focus was always on this bout. After waiting so long, after so much hard work and struggle, I am here at the Olympics representing my country," she said following her first-round win.
Information
Zareen to face China's Wu Yu
As mentioned, Zareen will next face China's Wu Yu in the Round of 16. The latter is the reigning world champion in the 52kg category. She also won gold at the Asian Games last year.