Exclusive: 'My time has come, will give it my all to win an Olympic gold for the country', says new World Champion boxer Nikhat Zareen

world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen is the toast of the nation after becoming just the fifth Indian female pugilist to win a gold medal at the World Championships. She is busy taking calls, and replying to tweets in Istanbul. Everytime she sees the coveted gold medal it makes her smile. The 25 year old from Telengana registered a dominating 5-0 victory in the final on Thursday, defeating Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas in the 52kg category final to win the top prize.

Before Nikhat, the legendary MC Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018), Sarita Devi (2006), Jenny RL (2006) and Lekha KC (2006) bagged a gold medal at the Women's World Boxing Championships for India. Nikhat's gold medal was India's first at the World Championships since Mary Kom won her sixth title in 2018.

(PTI Photo)Nikhat, who is now targeting a stellar show in the upcoming Commonwealth Games, has one ultimate aim - winning a gold medal for the country at the Olympics - a feat no Indian boxer has managed to achieve yet. TimesofIndia.com caught up with the new world champion to talk about her gold medal-winning performance, receiving thousands of congratulatory messages, her Olympic dreams and much more. How does it feel to see your name alongside the likes of the legendary Mary Kom and Sarita Devi?I am really grateful and honoured that my name is being taken alongside celebrated boxers. I am really happy and proud. I never imagined this. I never thought I would be winning a gold medal at this level. It is all because of my hard work. I was dedicated to my goal and put in a lot of hard work. Bhaskar Bhat sir and my coaches really worked a lot on me and prepared me for the World Championships. SAI has played a big role. I am really grateful to TOPS