A long-cherished Olympic debut just about three months away, two-time world champion boxer Nikhat Zareen has hit “energy-saving mode” ahead of her date with destiny.

So, she is off social media, is embracing solitude, devouring sweets on her cheat days, and binge-watching Heeramandi on Netflix.

Zareen, who is a medal favourite in the 50kg category, believes activities that might sound like leisure to many, are actually legitimate ways to ensure that she has a calm frame of mind ahead of the Games beginning in Paris on July 26.

“Honestly, the feeling that I will be an Olympian soon hasn’t sunk in yet. As the days are passing, the nervousness is increasing. But I always train my brain to focus on a good performance,” she said.

The 27-year-old from Hyderabad is a former junior world champion. She has won consecutive senior world titles in 2022 and 2023.

Her 2022 season was nothing short of sensational as she remained undefeated and she would be hoping to hit a similar peak in Paris.

“Every competition brings with it a degree of nervousness. You have expectations from yourself and the people around you also have expectations. It all adds up to the overall weight you feel on your mind.

“You cope with it by working hard, keeping your focus and having a calm mind, basically not allowing yourself to be distracted. So, I am off social media and I also try to keep my distance from people in general,” she revealed.

“Basically, I have hit energy-saving mode, indulge my sweet tooth on cheat days, do grocery shopping, listen to music, it helps me stay calm. Also, I watch movies or Netflix shows. I am watching Heeramandi right now,” she said.

A believer in destiny, Zareen said she could have been an Olympian in Tokyo itself. She had lost a bitter selection trial to six-time world champion MC Mary Kom, who went on to qualify for the Games.

“Everyone knows how badly I wanted to go to Tokyo. But it wasn’t destined. The setback made me resolute. The day I qualified for Paris, I was so happy that it is difficult for me to describe. It was like one major dream coming true,” she said.

“But then it hit me that it’s just half the job done.”

Olympic preparations are not always about merely training, as nutrition, and psychological readiness play a role too. The mental part of it becomes all the more significant in her sport, which is often described as lonely.

“But at the end of the day, it’s you who has to fight inside the ring, you are alone there,” she said.

PTI