A shoulder injury necessitating a year-long break can be a major setback for a sportsperson. But boxer Nikhat Zareen seems to have emerged stronger and more determined. She recently staged a successful comeback by winning a gold medal at the Belgrade International Tournament.
Describing how important the victory is to her, Nikhat says, “It proves that I still can win medals, and it reinstates that persistence pays off. I have a long way to go!”
During her prolonged downtime, the boxer never lost sight of her goals. “When I was told that I would have to either undergo surgery or quit boxing, I was shocked. After seeking advice from experts, I decided to undergo shoulder surgery in February 2017. After that, I underwent rehabilitation for a period of nine months. Staying away from the game for an entire year was the toughest part.”
During her rehabilitation, many people told her that she would have to quit boxing, but that only made her more determined to prove them wrong. “I can’t explain what I was going through, emotionally. It was disheartening and depressing to see people writing me off, especially after having won several medals at international tournaments,” she reveals.
Nikhat’s family was her greatest support system throughout her recovery. “My parents, my friends and my sponsor, believed in me and constantly encouraged me. The injury has made me mentally stronger and shown me how to face struggles in life,” she shares. Nikhat is currently training for the Asian Games and the World Championship.
