Indian boxing soared to unprecedented heights at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, with Jaismine Lamboria and Minakshi Hooda clinching sensational gold medals, propelling India to its best-ever performance on foreign soil. The duo’s gritty victories, combined with a silver from Nupur Sheoran and a bronze from Pooja Rani, secured a remarkable haul of four medals, etching India’s name in the annals of global boxing history.
Jaismine Lamboria, competing in the 57kg Olympic weight category, delivered a masterclass against Paris Olympics silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland in the summit clash late Saturday night. The 24-year-old from Haryana showcased tactical brilliance, overcoming a cautious start to dominate with precise jabs and deft footwork. After dropping the first round 3-2, Jaismine adjusted her strategy, controlling the distance and landing crisp combinations to secure a 4-1 victory (30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28). “I’m speechless,” Jaismine told PTI post-match. “After quarterfinal exits in my last two Worlds, I focused on one-sided wins. My World Cup victory gave me the confidence to execute my strategy perfectly.” Her triumph, marked by a rare emotional yell and tears during the national anthem, placed her among India’s boxing elite, including legends like Mary Kom and Nikhat Zareen.
Debutant Minakshi Hooda followed with an equally electrifying performance in the 48kg final on Sunday, outclassing Paris Olympics bronze medallist Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan. The 24-year-old from Rurki avenged her World Cup loss to Kyzaibay with a commanding 4-1 win. Minakshi leveraged her long reach to keep the aggressive Kazakh at bay, landing sharp, straight punches with composure. Despite losing the second round 3-2 as Kyzaibay pinned her to the ropes, Minakshi roared back in the third, raising her intensity and dominating with aggressive lunges. “I knew I had to stay focused and use my reach,” Minakshi said. “This gold is a dream come true and a stepping stone for more.”
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India’s campaign was further bolstered by Nupur Sheoran’s silver in the 80+kg non-Olympic category. Facing Poland’s technically adept Agata Kaczmarska, Nupur started strongly but struggled to maintain her momentum. Despite her height advantage, she was outmaneuvered by Kaczmarska’s relentless body blows and a decisive uppercut in the final round, resulting in a narrow 2-3 defeat. “Nupur fought valiantly, but Kaczmarska’s aggression was tough to counter,” noted India’s head coach. The silver, however, marked a significant achievement for the rising star.
Veteran Pooja Rani, competing in the 80kg non-Olympic category, secured a bronze after a hard-fought 1-4 loss to local favorite Emily Asquith in the semifinals. The 34-year-old led early with measured combinations, but Asquith’s sharper counters and adaptability turned the tide. “Pooja’s experience shone through, but the home crowd and Asquith’s precision made the difference,” the coach added. Her bronze capped a memorable campaign for India.
The four-medal haul surpassed India’s previous overseas records, highlighting the depth and talent in Indian women’s boxing. Jaismine and Minakshi’s golds, in particular, underscored India’s growing dominance in Olympic weight categories, with Jaismine’s victory standing out as the only medal in an Olympic division. The Boxing Federation of India hailed the achievement as a “new era” for the sport, crediting rigorous training camps and international exposure.
“This is a historic moment,” said a jubilant team official. “Our boxers have shown the world that India is a force to be reckoned with.” The success builds momentum for future global events, with the team eyeing the 2028 Olympics. As Jaismine, Minakshi, Nupur, and Pooja return home as heroes, their triumphs inspire a new generation of Indian boxers to aim for global glory.
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