Women’s boxing is one sport where the Indians are expected nothing short of winning gold medals at the world level, let alone the Asian Games. So when Nikhat Zareen, the two-time World Championships winner in the women’s light flyweight category, enters the ring, a lot will be expected from her. Apart from the gold medal at stake, a direct Olympic qualification is up for grabs too, which makes the Asian Games, all the more important for the Indian boxing team.
But Nikhat Zareen, India’s boxer at the moment, would consider herself a touch unlucky. As per the draw in her category, she is pitted against this year’s World Championships silver medalist from Vietnam Nguyen Thi Tam. In the finals of the event, earlier this year, even though the Indian beat her opponent 5-0, and will likely do the same at the Asian Games, but the nature of the sport is unpredictable.
One bad round could well end India’s hopes of a gold medal, as well as the Paris 2024 qualification. On current form, there is no beating Nikhat, but no one can take away from the fact that Vitenam’s Nguyen can surprise the former. Interestingly, all the other boxers have been awarded a bye in the first round, except for another match between Yesugen of Mongolia, and Aira Villegas of the Philippines.
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