Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen neither ate nor drank water for 2 days before match at Paris Olympics; know what happens to the body

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen’s Olympic journey came to a premature end with a disheartening loss to China’s Wu Yu in the pre-quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics. The defeat, a stark contrast to the high expectations placed on her, was a bitter pill to swallow for Nikhat herself, as well as those back home. “I will come back strong,” Nikhat kept repeating, PTI reported.

The once-world champion looked visibly shaken by the loss as she asked her coach to pass her some water. “Sorry guys, I could not win a medal for the country. I have made a lot of sacrifices to reach here. I had prepared myself well mentally and physically for this Olympics,” PTI reported her as saying when referring to the time spent away from her family and the hard training sessions she went through.

The days leading up to the match were marked by immense pressure and physical strain. Nikhat revealed enduring a sleepless night and forgoing meals to make the weight qualifications. Despite these challenges, she entered the ring with unwavering determination.

“I had not eaten in the last two days, I had to maintain weight. I did not even have water, and only after weigh-in I had some water but I had no time to recover, I was first in the ring,” Nikhat said in the press conference. The athlete had moved down from her preferred 52kg weight division as it didn’t feature in the Paris Olympics.

The match against Wu Yu proved to be a formidable challenge. The Chinese boxer’s superior speed and agility proved decisive, leaving Nikhat visibly frustrated. The defeat was a stark reality check for the Indian boxer, who had been touted as a strong medal contender.

Nikhat’s resilience shone through even in defeat. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

“I ran continuously for one hour many times in the last two days. If I had won today, the effort would have been appreciated but it will now look like an excuse. I gave my best,” Nikhat said while recounting her struggle.

According to dietician Suhani Seth Agarwal, HOD, Dietetics, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, extreme dehydration and fasting for weight-in purposes can be highly detrimental to an athlete’s health and performance. This practice can lead to electrolyte imbalances, decreased muscle function, impaired cognitive abilities, and increased risk of injury, she said.

“They might react slower, get tired quicker, and even struggle to think clearly .While it might help them make weight, it often leaves them weak when it really counts,” Agarwal explained in an interaction with us.

She noted that there are smarter ways to manage weight, like planning your diet weeks in advance and working closely with a nutritionist. “This helps to stay strong and sharp, giving them the best shot at winning. In the long run, these extreme methods can also mess with an athlete’s metabolism and overall health,” Agarwal added.

Her determination to bounce back was evident in her post-match comments, where she vowed to return stronger. The road to recovery will undoubtedly be tough, but her fighting spirit suggests that she will emerge from this setback even more determined.

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