Double World Champ Nikhat Zareen Out of CWG and Asian Games

Patiala's National Institute of Sports witnessed a major upset as Nikhat Zareen, India's premier 51kg boxer and two-time world champion, crashed out of the race for Commonwealth Games 2026 and Asian Games quotas. The semifinal clash ended in a 1-4 defeat against Sakshi Chaudhary, sealing Zareen's fate. This blow comes at a tough time for the 29-year-old Telangana star, who has been grappling with inconsistent performances and exclusion from recent national camps. Her path to qualification was already narrow after a semifinal exit at the Asian Championships in Mongolia, where only finalists earned direct Asian Games berths. In Ulaanbaatar, Zareen was outpointed 0-5 by Wu Yu of China, forcing her to rely on domestic trials. Two years ago, she was untouchable, clinching her second World Championship gold in Delhi by unanimously beating Nguyen Thi Tam. She also boasts a Commonwealth gold and Asian Games bronze. The 51kg category now turns to fresh talent, with Neetu Ghanghas also eliminated by Meenakshi. Zareen's absence from these prestigious multi-sport events marks a pivotal moment for Indian boxing, prompting discussions on form recovery and selection strategies ahead of global showdowns.