‘I am here to represent India, Hindu-Muslim does not matter’ – says World Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen

Indian pugilist Nikhat Zareen who recently became the World Champion in Turkey is all set to be the shining light for the Indian contingent as they make their way to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. While she is expected to deliver at the global stage for India, Nikhat made some strong statements suggesting that she is here to represent Indian rather than representing a particular community.

“As an athlete I’m here to represent India. For me, Hindu-Muslim doesn’t matter. I’m not representing a community but my country,” world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen said on Monday when she was quizzed regarding too much talk about her religion that her achievements.

“I am happy to win a medal for my country,” shared the boxer from Telangana as she highlights the importance of the support required in handling the pressure of delivering a medal in the world stage.

Zareen is in rich vein of form currently as she recently won the World Championship in Turkey defeating Thailand Jutamas Jitpong 5-0 in the finals to become the fifth Indian Women to be crowned with the prestigious title. Her days of struggle have been highlighted as she fought through adversities and have made it so far.

Indian athletes have shown that they can challenge anyone on a given day but sometimes they fizzle out under pressure in the big stages like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games etc. Here Nikhat highlights the importance of the training that is required for the athletes to handle such kind of pressure. “Our Indian boxers are very talented, we are not less than anyone. We have strength, speed and power…everything,” Nikhat revealed the areas where Indians lack at the big stage.

“It’s just that once you reach that (world) level, boxers should be given training to handle the mental pressure. Once you reach the big platforms a lot of athletes become nervous, they aren’t able to perform,” she added.

It has been a long wait for Nikhat on the sidelines as she watched her idol MC Mary Kom take the ring and win multiple accolades for India. The youngster now wants to follow her footsteps as Mary Kom has taken a backseat from the Commonwealth Games. This is the biggest opportunity for the Telangana based pugilist to lead the Indian contingent in Birmingham, a team that also has Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain.