India’s Minakshi Hooda and Jaismine Lamboria Clinch Historic Gold Medals at World Boxing Championships 2025
Liverpool, September 16, 2025 — In a landmark achievement for Indian boxing, Minakshi Hooda and Jaismine Lamboria secured gold medals at the World Boxing Championships 2025, held in Liverpool, United Kingdom, marking India’s most successful campaign at an overseas edition of the prestigious tournament. Competing in the 48kg and 57kg categories, respectively, the duo led India to a record-breaking haul of four medals—two golds, one silver, and one bronze—outshining expectations and cementing the country’s growing dominance in women’s boxing. Their victories, celebrated across India, were hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have ignited national pride ahead of the festive season.
A Stellar Performance on the Global Stage
The 2025 World Boxing Championships, organized by the newly established World Boxing governing body, saw India send a 20-member contingent, including Olympic medalists Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen. While expectations were high for the seasoned campaigners, it was Jaismine Lamboria and debutant Minakshi Hooda who stole the spotlight with their exceptional performances, defeating some of the world’s top boxers to claim world titles.
Jaismine Lamboria’s Triumph in 57kg
Jaismine Lamboria, a 24-year-old from Bhiwani, Haryana, clinched the 57kg gold medal on September 13, 2025, overcoming Poland’s Paris Olympics silver medalist Julia Szeremeta in a gripping 4-1 split decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28). Competing in her third World Championships, Jaismine faced a challenging start, trailing 3-2 in the opening round against the aggressive, shorter Szeremeta, whose Olympic participation had sparked controversy due to eligibility disputes. Jaismine adapted brilliantly, utilizing her 5’9” frame and long reach to control the fight’s tempo in the second and third rounds. Her precise combinations and defensive prowess secured a decisive victory, earning her the title of world champion.
“This is a dream come true. Becoming a world champion feels unreal,” Jaismine told Olympics.com post-match. “After my early exit at Paris 2024, I focused on improving my technique and mental strength. This gold is for my family and coaches who believed in me.” Her journey to the final was flawless, with unanimous 5-0 victories over Venezuela’s Omailyn Alcala in the semifinals, Uzbekistan’s Khumoranobu Mamajonova in the quarterfinals, Brazil’s two-time Olympian Jucielen Romeu, and Ukraine’s Daria-Olha Hutarina in earlier rounds.
Hailing from a boxing legacy—her great-grand-uncle Hawa Singh was a two-time Asian Games gold medalist—Jaismine’s training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and the national camp in Patiala has transformed her into a formidable force. Her 57kg title adds to her previous accolades, including bronze medals at the 2021 Asian Championships and 2022 Commonwealth Games, positioning her as a frontrunner for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Minakshi Hooda’s Sensational Debut in 48kg
Minakshi Hooda, a 24-year-old debutant from Rohtak, Haryana, stunned the boxing world by winning the 48kg gold medal—a non-Olympic weight category—on September 14, 2025. She defeated Kazakhstan’s Nazym Kyzaibay, a three-time world champion and Paris 2024 bronze medalist, in a 4-1 split decision. The victory was a redemption for Minakshi, who had lost to Kyzaibay in the World Cup final in Astana earlier in 2025. As an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) constable, Minakshi displayed remarkable composure, leveraging her reach to counter Kyzaibay’s aggressive style and secure the win with clinical precision.
Minakshi’s path to the title was dominant, with unanimous 5-0 wins against Mongolia’s Altantsetseg Lutsaikhan in the semifinals, England’s Alice Pumphrey in the quarterfinals, and China’s Wang Qiuping in earlier rounds. “I wasn’t nervous despite it being my first World Championships,” Minakshi told Hindustan Times. “My focus was to execute my strategy and make India proud.” Her rapid rise, marked by silver medals at the Asian Championships and World Cup, underscores her potential as a future star.
India’s Record-Breaking Medal Tally
India’s four-medal haul—two golds, one silver, and one bronze—marked its best-ever performance at an overseas World Championships. Alongside Jaismine and Minakshi’s golds, Nupur Sheoran earned a silver in the 80+kg category, narrowly losing 3-2 to Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska in the final. Despite her height advantage, Sheoran struggled against Kaczmarska’s technical prowess. Pooja Rani, a veteran Olympian, secured a bronze in the 80kg category, falling 4-1 to England’s Emily Asquith in the semifinals. Both weight classes are non-Olympic.
High-profile exits included Olympic medalists Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), who lost in the second round, and Nikhat Zareen (51kg), defeated by Türkiye’s two-time Olympic silver medalist Buse Naz Çakıroğlu in the quarterfinals. Despite these setbacks, India’s overall performance highlighted the depth and talent in its women’s boxing contingent, surpassing previous overseas campaigns.
National Pride and Official Recognition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to congratulate the boxers, posting, “A stupendous achievement by @BoxerJaismine, winning gold in the 57kg category at the World Boxing Championships 2025! Her determination inspires the nation.” He also praised Minakshi, stating, “Minakshi’s remarkable performance in Liverpool is a testament to India’s rising sporting prowess. Her gold medal is a proud moment for us all.”
Ajay Singh, president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), hailed the team’s success, saying, “Our women boxers have shown the world that India is a force to be reckoned with. Defeating top global athletes in Liverpool reflects the impact of our athlete-first policies.” He expressed optimism about future Olympic success, crediting rigorous training camps and international exposure for the team’s achievements.
The BFI, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, has invested heavily in women’s boxing, with programs like the Khelo India initiative nurturing talent at the grassroots level. The Liverpool performance is seen as a culmination of these efforts, positioning India as a global leader in the sport.
Social Media and Public Response
The victories sparked a wave of celebration on social media, with #IndianBoxing and #WorldChampions trending on X. A user posted, “Jaismine and Minakshi are unstoppable! India’s women boxers are rewriting history.” Another wrote, “From Haryana’s boxing hubs to world titles, this is what dreams are made of!” The success has fueled calls for greater investment in women’s sports, with activists urging the government to expand training facilities and scholarships for aspiring female boxers.
The achievements also resonated in Haryana, a powerhouse of Indian boxing. Local communities in Bhiwani and Rohtak organized events to honor Jaismine and Minakshi, with schools and colleges hosting watch parties during the finals. “These girls are our pride. They’ve shown what hard work and grit can achieve,” said a local coach in Rohtak.
Challenges and the Road to 2028
While the 2025 Championships mark a high point, challenges remain for Indian boxing. The sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics remains uncertain due to governance issues in global boxing, with World Boxing working to secure recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The BFI is advocating for boxing’s reinstatement, emphasizing India’s growing influence in the sport.
Additionally, experts highlight the need for sustained funding and infrastructure to maintain India’s momentum. “We need more academies, better equipment, and international exposure for young boxers, especially in rural areas,” said boxing analyst Vikram Sood. The gender gap in sports funding also remains a concern, with women’s boxing receiving less support compared to male-dominated sports like cricket.
Looking Ahead
Jaismine Lamboria and Minakshi Hooda’s victories place them among India’s boxing legends, including Mary Kom, Nikhat Zareen, and Lovlina Borgohain. Their success in Liverpool sets the stage for a strong Indian contingent at future international events, with the Asian Championships and Olympic qualifiers on the horizon. The BFI plans to intensify training camps in Patiala and Pune, focusing on technical refinement and mental conditioning to prepare for Los Angeles 2028.
As India celebrates its boxing heroes, the focus is on building a sustainable ecosystem to nurture talent and ensure continued global success. For now, Jaismine and Minakshi stand as beacons of inspiration, proving that dedication and skill can propel Indian athletes to the pinnacle of world sport.
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