Nikhat Zareen enters pre-quarterfinals with gritty win over Maxi Carina Kloetzer

Paris, July 28

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen powered into the women’s 50kg pre-quarterfinals with a tenacious victory over Germany’s Maxi Carina Kloetzer here today.

Trailing on three cards after the first round, the 28-year-old Indian prevailed by a 5-0 margin against the German in a rather messy Round of 32 contest. The unseeded Zareen is making her Games debut and is a strong medal contender. Zareen, who has been handed a tough draw, will take on top-seeded Asian Games and reigning flyweight world champion Wu Yu of China on Thursday.

Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar began her campaign on a rousing note as she picked a unanimous decision win over Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Anh to move to the pre-quarterfinals in the women’s 54kg.