Asian Games Boxing: Nikhat Zareen enters semis by defeating opponent via RSC; secures Paris Olympic 2024 quota

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Asian Games Boxing: Star India boxer Nikhat Zareen - the defending world champion - continued her dominating performance and won the quarter-final bout inside just 53 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals in the ongoing Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou on Friday (September 29).

The ace India pugilist was at her unstoppable best in the women's 50kg quarterfinal bout against Jordan's Nassar Hanan and knocked her opponent out in the first round itself.

The way Indian pugilist - who is a two-time world champion - started landing punches on her opponent right from the start and forcing the referee to stop the contest (RSC) sensing danger for the Jordanian boxer.

With an emphatic win in the quarterfinal, Nikhat also assured herself at least a bronze, and along with that she also secured the 2024 Paris Olympic quota. She is also the first boxer from India to earn a Paris 2023 berth. The Indian World Champion won't settle for anything less than the gold medal in Hangzhou.

Earlier, the reigning world champion - who is one of the favourites to win the gold medal in the category - won her opening bout 5-0 to make it to the round of 16. Prior to the Asian Games, the 27-year-old pugilist from Hyderabad defeated Nguyen Thi Tham of Thailand in the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2023 final in New Delhi.