Nikhat Zareen endured one of the biggest setbacks of her career after crashing out of the national boxing trials in Patiala, effectively ending her hopes of competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
The two-time World Championship gold medallist lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the women’s 51kg semifinal during the selection trials held at the National Institute of Sports (NIS). The defeat meant Nikhat failed to secure qualification for the upcoming multi-sport events.
Trials Defeat Ends Qualification Hopes
Nikhat entered the trials under pressure after failing to earn direct qualification through the Asian Boxing Championships in Mongolia last month.
Only finalists from the continental event received automatic berths for the Asian Games squad. Nikhat had reached the semifinals there but suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat against reigning Olympic champion Wu Yu of China.
As a result, the Patiala trials became her final pathway to both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan.
New Faces Emerge in Indian Women’s Boxing
Nikhat was not the only major casualty during the trials. Former Commonwealth Games champion Nitu Ghanghas also suffered an unexpected defeat, underlining the fierce competition within Indian women’s boxing.
The results signaled a generational shift in several weight categories, with younger boxers producing impressive performances against established stars.
Sakshi Chaudhary’s victory over Nikhat was widely viewed as one of the standout moments of the trials and could significantly boost her status ahead of upcoming international tournaments.
Tough Phase After Years of Success
Nikhat had emerged as one of India’s biggest boxing stars over the past few years after winning:
- World Championship gold medals in 2022 and 2023
- Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham
- Asian Games bronze medal
However, the boxer from Telangana has struggled for consistency since the Paris Olympics and has faced increasing competition within her category.
Selection Controversy Adds to Boxing Chaos
The latest developments also come amid growing controversy surrounding the Boxing Federation of India’s selection procedures.
Recent reports suggested the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had raised concerns over transparency and fairness in the assessment and trial process ahead of the CWG and Asian Games selections.
The administrative uncertainty has added further tension to Indian boxing preparations for two of the biggest sporting events of the year.
Focus Now on Comeback
Despite the disappointment, Nikhat is expected to continue competing internationally and could target a strong comeback in future world-level competitions.
At 29, the experienced boxer still remains one of India’s most accomplished fighters and will likely aim to rebuild momentum after this difficult phase in her career.
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