Fans searching for Nikhat Zareen’s Commonwealth Games 2026 performance may be surprised to learn that the two-time world champion did not make the trip to Glasgow. Her absence came down to a tough result in India’s national selection trials earlier this year.
The Trials That Decided Her Fate
Competing in the women’s 51kg category, Nikhat Zareen lost 4-1 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the semifinal of the national trials held in Patiala, which doubled as the selection process for both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games 2026. Sakshi, who had won gold in the 54kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup, dropped down to 51kg for the trials and delivered a composed performance to beat the former world number one.
A Difficult Year Overall
The trials loss followed another setback earlier in the year. Nikhat won bronze at the 2026 Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, but a semifinal defeat there meant she missed out on direct qualification for both the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. That left her needing to win the domestic trials to force her way into the squad, and the loss to Sakshi Chaudhary closed that door.
What This Means for India’s Squad
Sakshi Chaudhary went on to beat reigning world champion Minakshi Hooda in the trials final to confirm her spot in the 51kg category for Glasgow. She has since backed up that form at the Games themselves, winning her quarterfinal 5-0 to guarantee India a medal in the category.
Nikhat Zareen’s Legacy Remains Strong
Despite missing this edition, Nikhat Zareen’s résumé remains one of the most impressive in Indian boxing. She is a two-time world champion and has represented India at previous major boxing events with distinction. National trials are notoriously competitive in Indian boxing right now, with multiple world and Asian medallists often fighting for a single spot, and Nikhat’s loss reflects just how deep India’s talent pool has become in the sport.
Looking Ahead
With the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, coming up later this year, Nikhat Zareen will have another opportunity to fight her way back into national contention. For now, Indian boxing fans following the Commonwealth Games 2026 will see her rivals carrying the flag in the 51kg division, while she regroups for future selection battles.
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