Paris 2024 Olympics boxing: Nikhat Zareen’s campaign ends after losing to Asian Games champ in pre-quarterfinals 

India’s Nikhat Zareen’s hopes of winning a medal on her Summer Games debut ended prematurely after she bowed out of the Paris 2024 Olympics boxing tournament on Thursday.

The unseeded Nikhat Zareen, a two-time world champion, lost to Wu Yu of the People’s Republic of China by unanimous decision in the round of 16 of the women’s 50kg boxing event.

Wu Yu is the reigning Asian Games champion and is the top seed in her category at the ongoing Olympics.

"Sorry guys," Nikhat was quoted saying by PTI. "It was a learning experience for me. I had not faced her before. She was faster.

"I will analyse this bout once I am home. I was unseeded and this wasn't my first match, she was playing her first, it also impacts. It was an intense bout," she added.

"I had worked hard, prepared myself physically and mentally for this Olympics. I will come back strong."

In the fight, Wu Yu's agile footwork helped her thwart Nikhat's counter-attacks early on. Despite landing some punches, Nikhat met with Wu Yu's potent hooks. Nikhat persisted until the end, attempting to connect, but was effectively outmaneuvered by the Chinese boxer.

"She was not attacking much and my punches were going in the air," Nikhat admitted. "There was no point keep doing that and lose energy. I had to wait. I wanted to do better in Round 1 and 2," the Indian said.

The Indian boxer, who qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics courtesy of a bronze medal finish at the Asian Games last year, defeated Germany’s Maxi Carina Kloetzer 5:0 in the round of 32.

With Thursday’s result, four of the six Indian boxers have been eliminated from the Olympic boxing tournament so far. Amit Panghal and Preeti Pawar’s campaigns ended in the round of 16, while Jaismine Lamboria lost in the round of 32.

Meanwhile, Tokyo 2020 medallist Lovlina Borgohain and Nishant Dev made it to their respective quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Nishant will fight second-seeded Marco Verde of Mexico on Saturday, while Borgohain faces top seed Li Qian of China on Sunday.