Shocking Exit: Nikhat Zareen Falls to Wu Yu in Olympic Boxing Debut
Nikhat Zareen(50kg), a two time world champion in boxing has experienced a shocking defeat from Asian Games gold-medalist Wu Yu of China on Thursday and had to exit from Olympic Games. Nikhat Zareen, making her Olympic debut was seen struggling to find her range and lost to a 5-0 score. Yu, the winning flyweight (52kg) world champion, had the advantage of an opening round.
Nikhat Zareen was known as one of India’s strongest medal contenders before the Games. She had previously Germany’s Maxi Karina Kloetzer in her initial bout. However, in the pre-quarterfinals of her boxing event at the Paris Olympics on August 1, she had to face one-sided defeat from her contender Wu Yu of China by unanimous decision. Zareen was one of India’s biggest medal hopes. After her victory over Kloetzer, Nikhat failed to achieve the same against the Chinese star Wu Yu.
During the opening round, Nikhat lost against Wu by a split decision. During the final round she was completely outclassed which resulted in a unanimous decision with all five judges favouring China’s Wu Yu. Despite of Nikhat’s advantage of her height, Wu Yu defended herself, characterized by adept swaying and ducking away from jabs which kept her in control. Yu, who entered the ring fresh from an opening-round, contrasted sharply with Nikhat’s earlier dominance against Maxi.
The 2024 Olympic boxing competition saw one of the biggest defeat of Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion, by 0-5 from Asian Games gold-medalist Wu Yu. The main reason for Nikhat defeat was Yu’s quick movements and exceptional footwork which allowed her to consistently switch stances and avoid Nikhat’s attacks.
Nikhat got some success in the second round by landing a few straight punches. However, Yu managed to deliver significant punches to Nikhat’s face, which ended the round with a few body shots. Despite Nikhat’s desperate attempts to connect in the third round, Yu’s agile movements prevented her from landing effective blows.
This disappointing defeat does not overshadow Nikhat Zareen’s remarkable career. She has won consecutive gold medals at the world championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, along with a bronze medal at the Asian Games last year. She still remains one of the most consistent Indian boxers.
Nikhat’s journey in the Olympics was marked by high expectations, especially after her initial triumph over Germany’s Maxi Karina Kloetzer. Her defeat to China’s Wu Yu sheds light on the challenges faced by boxers who are unrecognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to the non-recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA), which conducts the world championship.
Nikhat demonstrated her resilience and determination while performance against Wu Yu, even as she struggled against the reigning world champion’s swift and strategic maneuvers. Wu Yu showcased her superior footwork and defensive tactics and her ability to quickly shift stances and avoid punches. This left Nikhat with limited opportunities to counter-attack effectively.
Nikhat’s efforts in the second round, where she managed to land some telling blows, and her persistent attempts in the third round, underscored her fighting spirit. Wu’s consistent ability to evade Nikhat’s punches with her nimble movements ultimately secured her victory.
Nikhat Zareen’s Olympic journey may have ended in disappointment, but her legacy as one of India’s premier boxers remains intact. Her achievements, including back-to-back gold medals at the world championships, a gold at the Commonwealth Games, and a bronze at the Asian Games, highlight her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
Nikhat Zareen’s Olympic bout against Wu Yu is one of high stakes, intense competition, and the harsh realities of elite sports. It underscores the challenges faced by athletes on the world stage and celebrates the perseverance and skill that define champions, even in the face of defeat.
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