Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 14: Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen will miss this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan after suffering a crucial defeat in the national selection trials held in Patiala.

Nikhat’s hopes of qualifying for the major international events ended after she lost to Sakshi Chaudhary in the women’s 51kg semifinal at the National Institute of Sports (NIS).

The Telangana boxer went down 1-4 in the bout, a result that effectively ruled her out of contention for direct qualification to the Asian Games squad.

The setback marks a difficult phase for the 29-year-old boxer, who has struggled with form in recent months and has not been a regular part of the Indian team lately. Her defeat means she will not represent India in the upcoming multi-sport events later this year.

The women’s 51kg category is now set to see a new Indian representative after another prominent boxer, Nitu Ghanghas, was also knocked out following a surprise loss to youngster Meenakshi.

Nikhat had enjoyed a remarkable run in recent years, including winning her second World Championship gold medal at the 2023 event in New Delhi. In that tournament, she defeated Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Tam by unanimous decision in the 48-50kg category.

However, she was forced to compete in the current trials after failing to secure automatic qualification at last month’s Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Nikhat reached the semifinals of the continental tournament but suffered a one-sided 0-5 defeat against China’s Wu Yu, the reigning Olympic gold medallist. Only finalists from the Asian Championships were granted direct entry to the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Sachin Siwach in the men’s 60kg category, Preeti Pawar in women’s 54kg, and Priya Ghanghas in women’s 60kg successfully secured their places through their performances at the Asian Championships.