Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen cruised into the quarterfinals of the 2025 World Boxing Championships with a unanimous 5-0 victory over Japan’s Yuma Nishinaka in the women’s 51kg pre-quarterfinal bout on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old Indian boxer, competing in her first international tournament of the year, overcame a strong opening round from Nishinaka before taking control of the bout. The Japanese fighter was penalized twice for excessive clinching, which disrupted her momentum and allowed Zareen to dominate the later rounds.
India has sent a 20-member squad to the inaugural World Championships organized by the newly formed international governing body, World Boxing. The country is eyeing strong finishes in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Three more Indian women boxers remain one win away from securing a medal, with five others set to compete in their pre-quarterfinal bouts later in the day.
On the men’s side, Monday night brought disappointment as three Indian boxers bowed out of the tournament. Sachin (60kg) lost 1-4 to Kazakhstan’s Biibars Zhexen, Sumit (75kg) fell 0-5 to Bulgaria’s Rami Kiwan, and Narender (90+kg) exited with a 1-4 defeat to Diego Lenzi of Italy.
In the women’s 65kg pre-quarterfinals, Neeraj Phogat was edged out in a close 2-3 decision against England’s Sacha Hickey, ending her campaign despite a valiant effort.
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