Asian Games: Nikhat Zareen reveals strategy that helped her end QF in 2 minutes

Boxer Nikhat Zareen said her pre-match plans for her Jordanian opponent helped her knock her out in 2 minutes at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Friday evening.

Nikhat, who is into her first Asian Games, progressed into the semifinals of the 50kg women's boxing category with a dominant win over Nassar Hanan of Jordan in the quarterfinal. In the process, Nikhat became the first Indian boxer to earn a quota place for the Paris Olympics next year.

Nikhat's quarterfinal took only 127 seconds to finish before the referee stopped the contest. Nikhat began with a right arm jab and continued punishing her opponent, who became completely disoriented after the opening blow.

Speaking in the mixed zone after her quarterfinal, Nikhat said, “I watched the previous fight, and my strategy was to go out there with the right leading hand, and that was what I did. I got the RSC (referee stops contest) in the first round."

Nikhat said that her aim till now has been securing the Olympic quota, and with that now being achieved, she can focus on her aim to win an Asian Games gold medal.

“I was looking to get the Olympic quota. Now I have got it, finally, I am looking forward to winning that gold medal. Hopefully, I keep performing like this in my next matches. Hopefully I win the gold medal and make my country proud," the 27-year-old said.

Nikhat will face Raksat Chuthamat of Thailand in the semifinals. She had defeated Raksat in the World Championships in Delhi earlier this year.