Paris Olympics 2024: Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen (BFI)
Following her defeat, the boxer, devastated over her early exit, took to X, and shared her thoughts on her journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Not all dreams come true. Nikhat Zareen would know too well about the same, as the ace Indian boxer slumped to an early exit from the Paris Olympics.
Zareen, who was touted to be one of India’s top medal prospects coming into the Olympics, lost to top-seeded Asian Games and reigning flyweight world champion Wu Yu of China, who received a first round bye, by a 0-5 unanimous decision in women’s 50kg Round of 16 bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday.
Nikhat was unseeded for the Games as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is holding the boxing competition, doesn’t recognise the International Boxing Association (IBA), which conducts the world championship.
Following her defeat, the boxer, devastated over her early exit, took to X, and shared her thoughts on her journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“The Olympic dream I’ve cherished for so long didn’t unfold as I had hoped. After countless hours of training, sacrifices, and unwavering determination, this moment slipped through my fingers. This defeat is the hardest I’ve ever faced; it cuts deep and is almost unbearable. My heart is heavy, but it remains unbroken. I accept it with grace and will do my best to find a way forward in my life,” wrote Zareen in an emotional post the boxer shared on X.
The Olympic dream I’ve cherished for so long didn’t unfold as I had hoped. After countless hours of training, sacrifices, and unwavering determination, this moment slipped through my fingers. This defeat is the hardest I’ve ever faced; it cuts deep and is almost unbearable. My… pic.twitter.com/qfsWUCwooP— Nikhat Zareen (@nikhat_zareen) August 3, 2024
“Winning an Olympic medal was my greatest dream, and I fought with everything I had to get here. The Paris 2024 journey was filled with challenges—battling through a year of injury, struggling to reclaim my spot, fighting for the opportunity to compete, and overcoming countless obstacles, all for the chance to represent our country on this global stage.”
“I’m deeply grateful for the chance to pursue my dream, but destiny had other plans. Not achieving it here in Paris is devastating… I promise this isn’t the end. I’ll return home to recover and clear my mind. This dream is still alive, and I will continue to chase it with renewed passion. This is not goodbye but a promise to return, to fight harder, and to make you all proud,” wrote Zareen.
There still remains hope for the Indian boxing contingent though, as the likes of Nishant Dev and ace boxer Lovlina Borgohain still remain in contention for a medal finish in the Games.
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