Nikhat Zareen Bows Out of Paris 2024 Olympics

In a disappointing turn of events, India’s boxing hope Nikhat Zareen faced a tough challenge in her round of 16 match at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing against Wu Yu from China, Nikhat lost by a unanimous decision, with all five judges scoring the bout 5-0 in favor of Wu Yu.

Nikhat’s defeat means she joins other Indian boxers who have exited the tournament, including Amit Panghal, Jaismine Lamboria, and Preeti Pawar. This leaves only Nishant Dev and Lovlina Borgohain still vying for medals in the competition.

During the match held in the North Paris Arena, Wu Yu quickly established control, using her swift footwork to avoid Nikhat’s punches. Although Nikhat did well defensively, she struggled to connect with her jabs. As the bout progressed, Wu Yu’s tactics, including feints and switches in stance, made it increasingly difficult for Nikhat to land effective shots.

In the second round, Nikhat tried to be more aggressive, but Wu Yu’s defense held strong. Although Nikhat managed to land a couple of punches, she found herself on the receiving end more often, leading to a significant advantage for the Chinese boxer.

The final round saw Nikhat grappling with Wu Yu, but even that didn’t play to her advantage. Nikhat’s punches often missed their mark, and the match ended with a clear decision that underscored the gap between the two athletes on that day.

Earlier, Nishant Dev had a positive start to his own campaign, winning his match against Ecuador’s Jose Gabriel Tenorio. He is set to face Marco Verde from Mexico in the quarter-finals on August 4, with hopes of clinching a medal.