Former World Champion Nikhat Zareen produced a stellar performance as she defeated Worlds quarterfinalist Guo Yi Xuan with a resounding 5–0 victory, reaffirming her position as one of India’s top boxing talents.
The bout, featuring two strong counter-punchers, saw Nikhat take strategic control early on. She maintained long-range dominance, using her superior reach, timing, and footwork to neutralize the Chinese boxer throughout the match. Her precision striking and ring intelligence ensured Guo had little room to build momentum.
Speaking after her win, Nikhat expressed deep emotion about performing in front of Indian fans once again. “I am delighted to win in front of the home crowd after two years,” she said. The victory marks her first gold medal since the Elorda Cup in May 2023, making the moment even more significant for the Indian boxing star.
The win boosts India’s medal tally and reinforces Nikhat’s comeback to top form as she continues her quest for more international success.
India’s Nupur Sheoran scripted a proud chapter in the nation’s boxing history with a stellar silver medal finish at the World Boxing Championships 2025, held from 4th to 14th September at the iconic Liverpool Arena in England. Competing in the fiercely contested 80+kg category, Nupur showcased a combination of raw strength, tactical sharpness, and unwavering determination as she powered her way to the final.
Her final bout was a closely fought battle against Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska — a seasoned opponent — where Nupur narrowly missed out on gold, losing by a 3-2 split decision. Despite the narrow loss, her campaign stood out for its tenacity and composure under pressure. Every round highlighted her calculated aggression, mental resilience, and technical finesse — attributes that firmly established her as one of India’s most promising heavyweights.
Nupur’s silver was not just a personal achievement, but a significant contribution to India’s overall success at the championships, where the country finished with four medals, including two historic golds and a bronze.
The gold medal glory was led by Jaismine Lamboria in the 57kg category, who stunned Olympic silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland in the final with a dominant performance, securing a 4-1 split decision. Jaismine, who had a disappointing early exit at Paris 2024, made a stunning comeback with four straight 5-0 unanimous victories en route to her title win.
Adding to the triumph was Minakshi Hooda, who became the world champion in the 48kg category after edging out Kazakhstan’s Olympic bronze medallist Nazym Kyzaibay with a 4-1 decision in the final. Minakshi’s campaign was marked by clear dominance, as she beat challengers from Mongolia, England, and China — all through unanimous decisions.
The fourth medal for India came through seasoned Olympian Pooja Rani in the 80kg category, who secured a bronze after reaching the semi-finals. She lost to Emily Asquith of England in a tough 4-1 bout.
India had fielded a robust squad of 20 boxers at the event, including Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen. While Borgohain and Zareen exited earlier than expected, the emergence of new champions like Jaismine, Minakshi, and Nupur Sheoran underscores the promising depth and future of Indian women’s boxing.
Jaismine and Minakshi’s victories are especially noteworthy as they became India’s first world champions under the new governing body, World Boxing, signalling a fresh era for the sport in the country.
Nupur Sheoran’s silver medal is a beacon of inspiration for aspiring boxers, especially in the heavyweight division where opportunities and visibility have traditionally been limited. Her journey reflects grit, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence — traits that define champions.
As India looks ahead to the next Olympic cycle, the performance in Liverpool offers hope, momentum, and a reminder that Indian women in the ring are not just contenders — they are champions in the making.
Astana, Kazakhstan | July 2025 Sakshi, already a two-time Youth World Champion, added another jewel to her crown by clinching India’s first gold medal at the 2025 World Boxing Cup held in Astana. Competing in the women’s 54kg category, she outclassed Yosline Perez of the USA in a dominant final bout.
The 54kg final was a showcase of Sakshi’s precision, agility, and relentless aggression. From the first round, she dictated the pace, keeping Perez on the defensive and landing sharp counterpunches. Judges scored the contest unanimously in her favor, underlining her complete control.
This gold marks a significant moment not just for Sakshi but for Team India, which has now secured 11 medals in this year’s Cup — including six from the Brazil leg of the tournament.
A Rising Star with Global Glory
Born and trained in India’s grassroots boxing ecosystem, Sakshi has long been touted as one of the brightest prospects in Indian sports. With this World Cup gold, she has proven she can hold her own — and dominate — on the senior international stage.
Team India’s Golden Momentum
India’s boxing contingent continues to impress with a mix of youth and experience. Coaches and sports officials hailed Sakshi’s win as a morale-booster and a symbol of the growing strength of women’s boxing in the country.
What’s Next?
With eyes now set on the upcoming World Championships and Olympic qualifiers, Sakshi’s win provides crucial momentum and inspiration for the rest of Team India.
As the tricolor soared and the national anthem played in Astana, it was clear: Indian boxing is not just participating — it’s leading. 🥊🇮🇳
The Goa Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), under the aegis of the Boxing Federation of India and in association with the Shail Foundation, is all set to host the 1st Goa Shail Foundation U-17 Boys & Girls Invitational Cup Boxing Tournament. Scheduled from 4th to 7th June 2025, the tournament will take place at the Boxing Hall in Peddem, Mapusa, Bardez, Goa.
The event will be officially inaugurated on 4th June by Mr. Arvind Khutkar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa. His presence reaffirms the state’s commitment to nurturing youth talent and promoting sporting excellence at the grassroots level.
This inaugural tournament will feature 10 inter-state teams, including Goa’s own Junior Boys and Girls Boxing Teams, with a total of 135 young boxers participating. The platform is aimed at showcasing and uplifting the country’s rising boxing talents, particularly in the sub-junior and junior categories.
Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Rohit Jainendra Jain, Chairman of Shail Group of Companies and the main sponsor, expressed strong support. He remarked, “More of such Boxing Invitational Tournaments should be held across India, especially for Sub-Junior and Junior Boxers. This not only builds exposure and confidence among budding athletes but also paves the way for them to become future International Champions.”
In addition to the tournament, the Goa Boxing Association is also organizing a 4-day Practical Coaches Seminar, which will run parallel to the event. The seminar will be conducted daily from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, from 4th to 7th June 2025, at the same venue. It will be led by Mr. T.L. Gupta, a former Senior NIS Boxing Instructor renowned for his in-depth knowledge of modern training techniques.
Mr. Lenny D’Gama, International Technical Official and the key force behind the seminar, highlighted its purpose: “We believe that if Indian coaches are regularly trained with the latest techniques and practices, our boxers can consistently shine on the international stage.”
The seminar is expected to draw over 30+ boxing coaches and physical education teachers from across the country. It aims to elevate the standard of coaching in India by equipping trainers with the tools and techniques needed to mentor the next generation of champions.
Physical Education Teachers and Boxing Coaches who wish to participate are encouraged to email their name and contact details to goaboxing@gmail.com by the latest 1st June 2025.
Together, the tournament and seminar represent a landmark moment for Goa and Indian boxing. They embody a shared vision — where opportunity meets preparation, and young talent is matched by expert mentorship.
