Nikhat Zareen made history on May 19, 2022, by becoming the first Indian boxer in 14 years, aside from Mary Kom, to win the IBA Women's World Boxing Championship. She triumphed over Thailand's Jutamas Jitpong in the 52kg final in Istanbul, marking a milestone for Indian women's boxing. Nikhat is now only the fifth Indian woman to win a world championship title in any weight category.
Her victory ended a difficult phase in her career after missing out on the Tokyo Olympics due to a controversial loss in the trials to Mary Kom. Nikhat's performance in Istanbul was dominant; she won all four of her bouts by a unanimous 5-0 decision, with each judge declaring her the better boxer in the ring.
The final against Jitpong was a thrilling contest. Nikhat began aggressively, winning the first round with a series of powerful combinations. Jitpong fought back in the second round, controlling the pace with strategic movements and landing solid punches, winning the round 3-2. However, Nikhat regained control in the third round, showcasing her improved attack and counterattack, ultimately winning the round decisively with a strong right hand in the final seconds.
Though Jitpong seemed confident she had secured the gold, Nikhat's hand was raised by the referee, and tears of joy streamed down her face as she realized her dream had come true. This victory capped a successful 2022 for Nikhat, having also won the prestigious Strandja Memorial in February, where she defeated top opponents.
Her transformation from a defensive boxer to a more aggressive, controlled fighter was key to her success. Nikhat's victory not only solidified her status as one of India's best boxers but also marked the rise of a new champion in Indian sports.