Weary from a challenging loss, Nikhat Zareen valiantly restrained her tears as she recounted the trials she faced both within the ring and in the 48 hours preceding the pre-quarterfinal bout against China’s Wu Yu, until she finally succumbed to her emotions.

Touted as one of India’s strongest medal prospects before the Games, Nikhat bowed out of the Olympics after a heartbreaking 0-5 loss to the top seed Chinese pugilist at the North Paris Arena on Thursday.

“I will come back strong,” she said at least five times, probably trying to convince herself and everyone else around her that the Olympic road does not end here for her.

Nikhat, a two-time world champion, trained on an empty stomach, could not sleep the night before the pre-quarterfinal and kept thinking about the match against the reigning Asian Games gold medallist Yu, who is also a 2023 world champion in flyweight (52kg).

Eventually, her worst fears came true as she lost the battle of the world champions.