New Delhi: Indian boxers Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Minakshi Hooda (48kg) scripted history at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships, delivering gold-medal performances that capped India’s best-ever campaign on foreign soil.
Jaismine, competing in her third World Championships, outclassed Paris Olympics silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland 4-1 on the judges’ scorecards (30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28) in the 57kg final on Saturday. “I have no words to describe how I am feeling,” Jaismine told PTI. “After earlier exits in the quarterfinals, I focused on my strategy and wanted to win decisively. The World Cup victory gave me the confidence.” Her win marked India’s sole medal in an Olympic weight category.
Debutant Minakshi Hooda followed a day later, overpowering Paris Olympics bronze medallist Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan 4-1 in the 48kg final. The 24-year-old from Rurki used her reach and composure to neutralize the experienced 31-year-old opponent, turning a second-round deficit into a dominant finish.
India’s other stars also impressed, with Nupur Sheoran (80kg) earning silver after a narrow 2-3 loss to Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska, and veteran Pooja Rani (80kg) claiming bronze following a 1-4 semifinal defeat to local favourite Emily Asquith.
With four medals in total, India achieved its best-ever medal haul in an overseas edition of the Women’s World Championships. The victories of Jaismine and Minakshi place them among India’s elite world champions alongside six-time winner Mary Kom, two-time champion Nikhat Zareen, Sarita Devi, Jenny RL, Lekha KC, Nitu Ghanghas, Lovlina Borgohain, and Saweety Boora.
Jaismine’s final showcased her tactical brilliance, adjusting rhythm and distance to overcome Szeremeta’s early aggression, while Minakshi displayed power and precision, responding swiftly to Kyzaibay’s mid-fight surge. Nupur and Pooja, despite falling short, demonstrated resilience and skill, rounding off a memorable campaign for India on the global stage.
