For India's two-time world champion boxer, Nikhat Zareen’s life is currently a whirlwind of national camps, international competitions, and constant pressure to perform. As she gears up for the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida, the flyweight star has spoken candidly about the sport's increasingly demanding schedule. She has also emphasized the vital need for strategic planning and mental recovery amid a crowded calendar.
In the world of elite boxing, the pursuit of a medal is now closely tied to a points-based qualification system for major events such as the Asian and Commonwealth Games. This new format has forced top-tier pugilists to compete almost continuously. For a champion like Zareen, who recently secured a bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games, the demands have been relentless since the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad earlier this year.
The Challenge of the Perpetual Peak
"You can't expect a boxer to be at her peak every single month," Zareen explained, highlighting the physical and mental toll of such a schedule. She pointed out that the non-stop circuit, with the World Cup Finals in November, the Nationals in December, and the Asian Championships in January, leaves little time for the recovery that is essential to maintain top form.
Following her recent World Championships campaign, where she lost in the quarter-finals to a two-time Olympic silver medallist, Zareen immediately returned to the national camp in Patiala. This immediate transition reflects the unrelenting pressure faced by athletes today. For Zareen, the focus has shifted beyond preparing for a single tournament. She must now maintain her position in the national team through continuous assessment and consistent performance.
Prioritizing Points Over Perfection
Under the current system, performance in tournaments directly affects a boxer’s ranking and seeding for major championships. The upcoming World Cup Final, for instance, offers substantial ranking points. Zareen is determined to make the most of these opportunities, especially since she often enters major events unseeded and faces strong opponents early on.
"I think we need to be selective with our competitions depending on the points on offer," she noted. Her pragmatic, points-driven approach reflects an understanding that participating in every event can lead to exhaustion before the main targets arrive.
Rebuilding the Edge
To manage the strain of constant competition, Zareen’s preparation remains meticulous and balanced. She is working on correcting technical errors from her last World Championship outing while sparring with different boxers three times a week. This rigorous training is followed by a full day of rest every Sunday to allow proper recovery.
Zareen is also vocal about the need for better workload management at the administrative level. She believes that coaches and the High-Performance Director must play an active role in ensuring that athletes reach their peak at the right time, instead of being pushed into every available event. "Boxers are also human," she reminded, stressing the need to prevent burnout that can shorten careers.
Zareen’s candid remarks highlight a crucial truth about modern sport: the toughest battles are not always fought under bright lights but in the quiet decisions about when to step into the ring again. As she prepares for the World Cup Finals, her pursuit of balance between ambition and endurance reflects both her maturity and her mastery of the sport’s relentless rhythm.
