The Indian contingent bagged six medals, including a gold and a silver, at the World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025 at Foz Do Iguacu, which ended on Saturday.
Hitesh Gulia became the first Indian boxer to clinch a gold medal in the World Boxing Cup. He was handed a walkover in the final of the men’s 70kg weight category as opponent, Odel Kamara of England, was injured and couldn’t take to the ring.
Abhinash Jamwal, the other Indian boxer to reach the final in the 65kg category, gave his best against local favourite Yuri Reis but had to settle for a silver medal.
Four Indian boxers, including Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (50kg), Manish Rathore (55kg), Sachin (60kg) and Vishal (90kg), bagged bronze medals after going down in the semi-finals.
Like in Olympic boxing, both losing semi-finalists received bronze medals at the Brazil meet.
After winning his gold, Hitesh Gulia credited the 10-day preparation camp in Brazil ahead of the tournament as something that helped him and the team a lot.
“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.
Over 130 boxers, including Olympians from 19 different countries, participated in the first World Boxing Cup of the year. Competitions were being held for both men and women but India only had representation in the 10 men’s weight categories.
The women missed out on the meet on account of the senior nationals being held earlier this month.
The Brazil meet is one of the three World Boxing Cups scheduled for this year. Kazakhstan and India will host the other two in June-July and November, respectively.
Ranking points will be on offer at each meet with the top-ranked boxers qualifying for the season-ending World Boxing Cup Finals.
World Boxing Cup Brazil 2025: Indian medal winners
- Hitesh Gulia (men’s 70kg) – gold medal
- Abhinash Jamwal (men’s 65kg) – silver medal
- Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (men’s 50kg) – bronze medal
- Manish Rathore (men’s 55kg) – bronze medal
- Sachin (men’s 60kg) – bronze medal
- Vishal (men’s 90kg) – bronze medal
