#ELLEImpact: For years, sports was largely a male bastion. Regarded as a ‘boys’ club with the doors bolted shut. So when a woman did break through, she wasn’t just competing, she was representing. She had to run faster, train harder, and push further to get the same recognition. To carry every other girl’s dream on her shoulders while proving she deserved to be there in the first place. This Sports Edition of ELLE Impact honours four women who never accepted being an afterthought: @ptushaofficial, @mirzasaniar, @zareennikhat, and @avani.lekhara, icons who stepped into the spotlight knowing the weight of what they carried, and rose to meet it head-on. Tap on the 🔗 in the bio to learn more. . On @ptushaofficial: Sora dress and Leh pants, both by @urvashikaur. Christy pearl earrings by @radhikaagrawalstudio. Anura handcuff by @amamajewels. Fine line juttis by @fizzygoblet . On @mirzasaniar: Top and jeans, both by @uniqloin. Martha jacket by @weareperona. Clairvoyance rings and Athame ring, both by @batoki.art. Golden feather earrings by @ishhaara. Irina heels by @oceedeeshoes . On @zareennikhat: Vera quilted corset and Vera skirt, both by @studiomoonray. Rings, all by @e3kjewelry. Astroloubi shoes by @christianlouboutin . On @avani.lekhara: Pitallai jacket and pants, both by @anavila. Golden path ring by @amamajewels. Valentina TWP black mules by @thewhitepole . ELLE India Editor : @aineenizamiahmedi Photographer: @frontrowgypsy rep by @entouragetalents Jr. Fashion Stylist: @tejashreeraul Asst. Art Director: @alekhachuganii Bookings Coordinator: @anushkapatil21 HMUA: @sculpt.ing_ rep by @featartists for P.T. Usha and Avani Lekhara. @susanemmanuelhairstylist and @ajayvrao721 for Sania Mirza. @pooja_dhakaan1 and @kira.meki_ for Nikhat Zareen Words by: @16ektasinha Assisted by: @iidrrisss, @stylebysanjanaa (styling), @makeup_by_chan_m (HMUA) for P.T. Usha and Avani Lekhara Production: @gravity.grace.productions (Mumbai) | @ikp.insta (Delhi) Artist Reputation Management: @sportwiseindia for P.T. Usha and Avani Lekhara; Think Talkies @think_talkies for Sania Mirza; @baselineventures for Nikhat Zareen Location Courtesy: @theclaridgesnewdelhi (Delhi)
In a world full of daisies, be a laal GULAAB.🌹
In a world full of daisies, be a laal GULAAB.🌹
In a world full of daisies, be a laal GULAAB.🌹
In a world full of daisies, be a laal GULAAB.🌹
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
Had an incredible time training at @army_sports_insitute_ . Got to push myself, sharpen my skills, and reconnect with the fighter in me. Boxing is all about staying focused, and this place helped me find that focus again. One step, one punch, one round at a time — the dream’s still in sight. 🎯🙌🏻 @media.iccsai @gosportsvoices
#ELLEImpact: Our ELLE Impact cover stars are the women who refused to settle for footnotes. P.T. Usha (@ptushaofficial), Sania Mirza (@mirzasaniar), Nikhat Zareen (@zareennikhat), and Avani Lekhara (@avani.lekhara) are athletes who knew exactly what was at stake when they stepped into the arena. Click on the 🔗 in the bio to read more about their journey. . On @ptushaofficial: Echo dress and Heiko pants with dupatta, all by @urvashikaur. Seafoam front back earrings by @isharya . On @zareennikhat: Scandal shirt by @hiroshop.in. June silver earrings by @e3kjewelry On @mirzasaniar: Flax dress by @lovebirds.studio. Bloom studs in moon silver and Clairvoyance rings in moon silver, both by @batoki.art . On @avani.lekhara: Panelled woven top and embroidered bamboo trousers, both by @akaaro. Radiant curve bracelet and Golden path ring, both by @amamajewels. Lumi bliss drops earrings by @radhikaagrawalstudio . ELLE India Editor: @aineenizamiahmedi Videographer: @akshaypawar.95 Jr. Fashion Stylist: @tejashreeraul Asst. Art Director: @alekhachuganii Bookings Coordinator: @anushkapatil21 HMUA: @sculpt.ing rep by @featartists for P.T. Usha and Avani Lekhara. @susanemmanuelhairstylist and @ajayvrao721 for Sania Mirza. @pooja_dhakaan1 and @kira.meki_ for Nikhat Zareen Words by: @16ektasinha Assisted by: @iidrrisss, @stylebysanjanaa (styling), @makeup_by_chan_m (HMUA) for P.T. Usha and Avani Lekhara Production: @gravity.grace.productions | @ikp.insta Artist Reputation Management: @sportwiseindia for P.T. Usha and Avani Lekhara; Think Talkies @think_talkies for Sania Mirza; @baselineventures for Nikhat Zareen Location Courtesy (Delhi): @theclaridgesnewdelhi . #ELLECoverStars #Sportswomen #SportsIcon #PTUsha #SaniaMirza #NikhatZareen #AvaniLekhara
Progress: built one rep at a time 🙌🏻 #deadlift #gripitandripit #strongisbeautiful
#ELLEImpact: Nikhat Zareen (@zareennikhat), the World Champion boxer from Telangana, embodies fire, focus, and an unshakable belief in her purpose. A two-time World Champion and Asian Games medallist, her journey has been one of defiance against both societal norms and internal doubts. “The biggest challenge when I was starting off was that I did not have many women role models in professional sports; there were just a few like P.T. Usha, Mary Kom, Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal,” she says. Head to 🔗 in the bio to read the full conversation. ___________________________________________ On @zareennikhat: Scandal shirt by @hiroshop.in. Black Laurel skirt by @studiomoonray. June silver earrings by @e3kjewelry. Clairvoyance rings in moon silver, Passional midi ring in moon silver and Channel ring in oxidised silver, all by @batoki.art ___________________________________________ ELLE India Editor : Ainee Nizami Ahmedi (@aineenizamiahmedi) Photographer: Ridhika Mehra (@frontrowgypsy rep by @entouragetalents) Jr. Fashion Stylist: Tejashree Raul (@tejashreeraul) Asst. Art Director: Alekha Chugani (@alekhachuganii) Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil (@anushkapatil21) Makeup: Pooja Dhakaan (@pooja_dhakaan1) Hair: Shriya Saxena (@kira.meki_) Words by: Ekta Sinha (@16ektasinha) Assisted by: Idris Nidham (@iidrrisss) (styling) Production: Gravity Grace Productions (@gravity.grace.productions) Artist Reputation Management: Baseline Ventures (@baselineventures) ___________________________________________ #ELLECoverStars #Sportswomen #SportsIcon #NikhatZareen
#ELLEImpact: Nikhat Zareen (@zareennikhat), the World Champion boxer from Telangana, embodies fire, focus, and an unshakable belief in her purpose. A two-time World Champion and Asian Games medallist, her journey has been one of defiance against both societal norms and internal doubts. “The biggest challenge when I was starting off was that I did not have many women role models in professional sports; there were just a few like P.T. Usha, Mary Kom, Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal,” she says. Head to 🔗 in the bio to read the full conversation. ___________________________________________ On @zareennikhat: Scandal shirt by @hiroshop.in. Black Laurel skirt by @studiomoonray. June silver earrings by @e3kjewelry. Clairvoyance rings in moon silver, Passional midi ring in moon silver and Channel ring in oxidised silver, all by @batoki.art ___________________________________________ ELLE India Editor : Ainee Nizami Ahmedi (@aineenizamiahmedi) Photographer: Ridhika Mehra (@frontrowgypsy rep by @entouragetalents) Jr. Fashion Stylist: Tejashree Raul (@tejashreeraul) Asst. Art Director: Alekha Chugani (@alekhachuganii) Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil (@anushkapatil21) Makeup: Pooja Dhakaan (@pooja_dhakaan1) Hair: Shriya Saxena (@kira.meki_) Words by: Ekta Sinha (@16ektasinha) Assisted by: Idris Nidham (@iidrrisss) (styling) Production: Gravity Grace Productions (@gravity.grace.productions) Artist Reputation Management: Baseline Ventures (@baselineventures) ___________________________________________ #ELLECoverStars #Sportswomen #SportsIcon #NikhatZareen
#ELLEImpact: Nikhat Zareen (@zareennikhat), the World Champion boxer from Telangana, embodies fire, focus, and an unshakable belief in her purpose. A two-time World Champion and Asian Games medallist, her journey has been one of defiance against both societal norms and internal doubts. “The biggest challenge when I was starting off was that I did not have many women role models in professional sports; there were just a few like P.T. Usha, Mary Kom, Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal,” she says. Head to 🔗 in the bio to read the full conversation. ___________________________________________ On @zareennikhat: Scandal shirt by @hiroshop.in. Black Laurel skirt by @studiomoonray. June silver earrings by @e3kjewelry. Clairvoyance rings in moon silver, Passional midi ring in moon silver and Channel ring in oxidised silver, all by @batoki.art ___________________________________________ ELLE India Editor : Ainee Nizami Ahmedi (@aineenizamiahmedi) Photographer: Ridhika Mehra (@frontrowgypsy rep by @entouragetalents) Jr. Fashion Stylist: Tejashree Raul (@tejashreeraul) Asst. Art Director: Alekha Chugani (@alekhachuganii) Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil (@anushkapatil21) Makeup: Pooja Dhakaan (@pooja_dhakaan1) Hair: Shriya Saxena (@kira.meki_) Words by: Ekta Sinha (@16ektasinha) Assisted by: Idris Nidham (@iidrrisss) (styling) Production: Gravity Grace Productions (@gravity.grace.productions) Artist Reputation Management: Baseline Ventures (@baselineventures) ___________________________________________ #ELLECoverStars #Sportswomen #SportsIcon #NikhatZareen
