IMAGE: Nikhat Zareen.
Defending champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) got off to a resounding start at the Strandja Memorial boxing tournament, outpunching Morocco's Yasmine Mouttaki in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday.
A former junior world champion, Zareen prevailed 5-0 to enter the second round.
The Hyderabadi is competing in her first tournament after the bitter selection row for next month's Olympic qualifiers.
She had lost to six-time world champion M C Mary Kom in the trials.
Among other Indians in the competition, four-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63kg) got a bye into the second round.
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