Overview
- Nikhat Zareen, who lost 1-4 to Sakshi Chaudhary in the 51kg semifinal on Thursday in Patiala, will miss the 2026 Commonwealth and Asian Games.
- A day later, Sakshi beat Meenakshi Hooda 5-0 in the final to claim India’s 51kg places for Glasgow and Aichi‑Nagoya after dropping down from 54kg.
- The return to trials followed SAI directing BFI to end its assessment system that graded sparring, fitness tests, attendance and weight control, with bout winners now declared on the spot under a panel.
- Nikhat said the two-week build-up was “torture” for boxers as camp dates shifted and daily weight targets and fitness test scores were later discarded, leaving athletes drained and uncertain.
- Only Asian Championships finalists earned automatic berths, which meant Nikhat had to trial after a 0-5 semifinal loss to China’s Wu Yu in Ulaanbaatar, while other finalists like Preeti Pawar and Sachin Siwach were already through.