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.
