Nikhat Zareen wins 5th World Boxing Gold for India

Nikhat Zareen underlined her status as one of India’s finest boxers by clinching the 51 kg gold at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida, sealing India’s fifth gold medal of the women's category in the tournament and firmly burying the disappointment of the Paris Games. The two-time world champion was in complete control in the final, outboxing Xuan Yi Guo of Chinese Taipei to earn a comprehensive 5–0 verdict from the judges.

The road to gold was just as impressive as the final itself. In the semifinal, Nikhat delivered a masterclass against Uzbekistan’s Ganieva Gulsevar, dominating the bout with superior footwork, sharp counters and relentless pressure to secure another clean 5–0 win. Her ability to control the pace and dictate exchanges throughout the contest left no doubt about her intent to reclaim the top spot on the podium.

The win marked an important personal milestone for Nikhat, whose Paris Olympics campaign had ended



prematurely in the Round of 16. A two-time world champion and one of India’s biggest medal hopes at the Games, she had suffered a surprise defeat to China’s Wu Yu, who later went on to claim the Olympic gold. In Greater Noida, however, Nikhat looked a boxer reborn — focused, composed and technically superior in every round she contested.

Nikhat’s gold headlined a brilliant showing for India’s women boxers at the tournament. Minakshi Hooda emerged champion in the 48 kg category, Preeti Pawar bagged gold in the 54 kg division, Arundhati triumphed in the 70 kg event and Nupur Sheoran secured the top prize in the 80+ kg category. With five gold medals overall, the Indian women’s team delivered a dominant statement on the international stage.

From a painful Olympic exit to a commanding return at the World Boxing Cup, Nikhat Zareen’s journey in Greater Noida was a powerful reminder of her resilience, class and championship mindset.