Indian boxing team finished the World Boxing Cup with a remarkable six medals, including a gold medal for Hitesh, at Foz Do Iguacu in Brazil. India is participating in an elite-level international competition for the first time, hosted by World Boxing.
Hitesh won the World Boxing Cup gold medal, making him the first Indian boxer to do it. During Saturday’s 70kg final, his opponent Odel Kamara of England was unable to compete due to an injury.
The other Indian boxer to make it to the finals in the 65kg division, Abhinash Jamwal, gave it his all against Yuri Reis, a local favorite, but was unable to secure a favorable decision and was awarded a silver medal.
Four Indians won bronze: Vishal (90 kg), Sachin (60 kg), Manish Rathore (55 kg), and Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50 kg).
Hitesh said he and the team benefited greatly from the 10-day training camp in Brazil prior to the competition.
“The camp helped me learn a few tactical nuances that helped me a lot in the competition. This tournament has provided us fantastic exposure at the highest level and I am happy that I could grab the gold medal,” said Hitesh.
The year’s first World Boxing Cup featured more than 130 boxers, including Olympians from 19 different nations. Although both men’s and women’s competitions were taking place, India was only represented in the ten men’s weight divisions.
For their first significant international appearance since the Olympics in Paris, India sent a 10-man team to the World Boxing Cup.
Brazil 2025 World Boxing Cup: Indian Medal Winners
1. Hitesh Gulia (men’s 70kg) : Gold medal
2. Abhinash Jamwal (men’s 65kg) : Silver medal
3. Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (men’s 50kg) : Bronze medal
4. Manish Rathore (men’s 55kg) : Bronze medal
5. Sachin (men’s 60kg) : Bronze medal
6. Vishal (men’s 90kg) : Bronze medal
