India strike nine golds in World Boxing Cup Finals 2025

MUMBAI: The gloves are off, and India has delivered a championship performance for the history books! In a truly golden statement of global dominance, India’s pugilists scripted history at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025, held on home turf at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex. The host nation clinched an astonishing nine gold medals on a sensational final day, leading to their greatest-ever showing on the world stage.

The women’s contingent led the charge with a historic, near-flawless display, racking up seven titles in key Olympic weight classes, while the men added two more golds to cap off a defining campaign. In total, the 20-strong Indian team ensured every participating boxer took home silverware, finishing with nine gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.

The final day was a golden parade for India’s women. The afternoon session saw victories for Minakshi (48kg), Preeti (54kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), and super-heavyweight Nupur (80 plus kg). Minakshi, who defeated Asian champion Farzona Fozilova 5:0 with blistering pace and airtight defence, declared the medal belonged to “the whole of India.”

The momentum continued into the evening as world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), and Parveen (60kg) all stepped onto the top podium.

The highlight was arguably world champion Jaismine Lamboria, who showed swagger and composure to stun Paris Olympic medallist Wu Shih Yi with a tactical 4:1 victory. Meanwhile, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen dismantled China’s Guo Yi Xuan 5:0 with trademark precision, while Parveen dug deep for a gritty 3:2 triumph over Japan’s Ayaka Taguchi.

The men’s team provided a powerful finish, securing two gold medals. Sachin (60kg) delivered a flawless 5:0 win, blending accuracy and momentum control. However, the most thrilling moment belonged to Hitesh (70kg), who fought back from a first-round deficit to edge Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Mursal 3:2. “I had to go all out in the third round,” a determined Hitesh said after his dramatic victory.

India’s impressive haul was completed by six silver medals, including commendable runs from Jadumani Singh (50kg), Pawan Bartwal (55kg), and Pooja Rani (80kg). The hosts, backed by a roaring home crowd and superb hosting facilities, truly cemented their rising stature in global boxing.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Australia’s Emma-Sue Greentree and Taiwan’s Olympic medallist Chen Nien-Chin secured titles. Uzbekistan, a perennial powerhouse, also dominated several men’s divisions, confirming the finals were truly a showcase of the strongest field in World Boxing Cup history.