Like many girls her age, Zareen Nikhat of Nizamabad in Telangana took up boxing watching London Olympics bronze-medallist MC Mary Kom. And before she realises, the 18-year-old could end up fighting her idol for a place in the Indian team: such is the stiff competition these days.


Zareen Nikhat surrounded by judokas Avtar Singh (left) and Garima Chaudhary. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi  

"I am still a junior and will be able to compete at international events once I turn 19. Mary Kom is my idol and I want to carry forward her legacy at the Olympics.