Two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen produced a gritty performance to storm into the gold medal bout at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida on Wednesday. Despite a scrappy semifinal, she joined Jaismine Lamboria and four other Indian boxers who dominated the day to secure their spots in Thursday’s grand finale.
India will now have an impressive 15 boxers competing for gold, a sign of the host nation’s growing dominance in the tournament.
Nikhat Zareen Ends 20-Month Medal Drought
Returning to international action after a shoulder injury halted her run at the World Championships earlier this year, Nikhat continued to show flashes of rust. Yet, she pushed through a messy 51kg semifinal to claim a unanimous win over Uzbekistan’s Ganieva Gulsevar—her first international medal in 20 months. Her previous podium finish came at the Strandja Memorial in February last year.
“I’m very happy—after the Paris Olympics, my medal account has finally opened again. From here, it’s only upwards and onwards,” said an emotional Nikhat, recalling her 2023 World Championship win in New Delhi. “I’m now looking forward to the final against Chinese Taipei and want to win gold for India.”
Playing her first bout only at the semifinal stage after a first-round bye, the 29-year-old struggled to find rhythm initially, landing just enough to impress four judges in the opening round. The remainder of the contest was riddled with clinches and disrupted exchanges, but Nikhat managed to stay ahead and secure the win.
Jaismine Shows Her Class
Reigning 57kg World Champion Jaismine Lamboria was far more fluent, delivering one of the cleanest performances of the evening. She outboxed Kazakhstan’s former Asian Youth Champion Ulzhan Sarsenbek in a dominant 5-0 win.
Using her height and long reach to perfection, Jaismine controlled the tempo from the outset, evading punches smoothly while landing crisp scoring shots.
Jadumani Lights Up the Arena
India’s Jadumani Singh Mandengbam produced the most electrifying performance of the day, thrilling the home crowd with his decisive win over Australia’s Omar Izaz to reach the men’s 50kg final.
Despite conceding height, Jadumani attacked ferociously in the first two rounds, combining sharp uppercuts with tight combinations. His quick footwork allowed him to defend with ease, and at one point he even dropped his guard, bouncing off the ropes to lure his opponent forward—earning loud cheers from the crowd.
Indian Dominance Continues
Alongside Nikhat, Jaismine, and Jadumani, the other Indian finalists include:
- Pawan Bartwal (55kg)
- Sachin Siwach (60kg)
- Hitesh Gulia (70kg)
Their entry into the finals ensures India will field 15 finalists, underlining the depth and strength of the home contingent.
Bronze Medals for Neeraj, Jugnoo, and Sumit
Not all Indian boxers made it through. Neeraj Phogat (65kg), Jugnoo (85kg), and Sumit Kundu (75kg) bowed out in their respective semifinals.
- Neeraj lost to Chinese Taipei’s Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Chen Nien-Chin,
- Jugnoo went down to Uzbekistan’s Yuldoshev Jasurbek,
- Sumit fell to Poland’s Jarlinski Michal.
All three signed off with bronze medals.
With the finals set for Thursday, Indian boxing fans are bracing for what could be a historic medal haul.