"Not Representing A Community, But My Country": Boxer Nikhat Zareen

"As an athlete I'm here to represent India. For me, Hindu-Muslim doesn't matter. I'm not representing a community but my country," world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen said on Monday when asked about people talking more about her religious background than her achievements. "I am happy to win a medal for my country," the 25-year-old pugilist from Telangana said during an interaction, where she also emphasised on the importance of support required for handling mental pressure at high-stakes sporting events.

Zareen had become only the fifth Indian woman to be crowned world champion last month when she beat Thailand's Jitpong Jutamas 5-0 in the flyweight division of the championship in Turkey.

A lot has been spoken about how Zareen, who comes from an orthodox society as she had to overcome societal prejudice to make a career in boxing.

As the discussion turned to her sport, she said handling "mental pressure" at the highest level is something Indian athletes lack and pushed for specialised training to overcome this hurdle at big-ticket events.

Indian athletes have a tendency to perform well at regular events but falter at the big stage like the Olympics or the World Championships.

"Our Indian boxers are very talented, we are not less than anyone. We have strength, speed and power.. everything," Zareen said when asked where the Indian boxers are lacking.

"It's just that once you reach that (world) level, boxers should be given training to handle the mental pressure.

"Once you reach the big platforms a lot of athletes become nervous, they aren't able to perform," added Zareen, who was talking at an interaction organised by the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC).

Zareen, who was crowned the world champion in the flyweight event