• Source:PTI
Add as a preferred

World Boxing Championships 2025: Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) and Minakshi Hooda (48kg) carved their place in Indian boxing history by clinching titles with hard-fought wins at the World Championships here.

Capping off a stupendous campaign that saw her dominate all her rivals, Jaismine outclassed Paris Olympics silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland in the 57kg summit clash late on Saturday night, prevailing 4-1 on the judges' scorecards (30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 28-29, 29-28).

Minakshi followed suit a day later on Sunday, by out-punching Paris Olympics bronze medallist Kazakhstan's Nazym Kyzaibay with the same margin in the 48kg summit clash.

ALSO READ: IND-W vs AUS-W: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana's Fifties Power India To 281/7 Against Australia In 1st ODI

However, Nupur Sheoran (80+kg) and the seasoned Pooja Rani (80kg) signed off with silver and bronze medals, respectively, in non-Olympic weight categories.

With the victory, Jaismine and Minakshi joined an illustrious list of Indian world champions featuring six-time winner Mary Kom (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018), two-time winner Nikhat Zareen (2022 and 2023), Sarita Devi (2006), Jenny RL (2006), Lekha KC (2006), Nitu Ghanghas (2023), Lovlina Borgohain (2023) and Saweety Boora (2023).

Competing in her third World Championships, the 24-year-old Jaismine grew steadily into the bout. After a relatively sedate start where both pugilists sized each other up, it was Szeremeta who drew first blood, prodded into action by the referee.

The much shorter Pole, who had lost the Olympic final to gender-row boxer Lin Yu-ting, was fast and precise, using defensive manoeuvres to dart in and out. She negotiated Jaismine's long reach to win the opening round 3-2.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2025: Shubman Gill Shares Batting Tips With Hong Kong Players Before Big IND-PAK Match | Watch

But the Indian came roaring back in the second. Adjusting her rhythm, she began controlling the distance, evading Szeremeta's advances, and unleashing crisp combinations that swayed all the judges in her favour. Jaismine employed the jab and defended stoutly.

When the final verdict was announced, the usually serene Jaismine let out a brief yell, raising her hand before graciously embracing her crestfallen opponent.

At the medal ceremony, her eyes glistened as the Indian national anthem reverberated through the arena.