India’s women’s boxing campaign at the World Boxing Cup Stage 2 in Guiyang, China, began with a mix of promise and disappointment as Poonam delivered a commanding victory to keep the country’s hopes alive, while several other Indian women boxers suffered early exits against strong international opposition.
With some of the world’s leading amateur boxers competing for valuable ranking points, the tournament is considered a key stop on the international calendar and an important opportunity for athletes to gain experience ahead of future global championships. The World Boxing Cup series, introduced by World Boxing, allows male and female boxers to accumulate ranking points across multiple stages during the season.
Among the Indian women in action on the opening day, Poonam emerged as the standout performer. Competing in the women’s 54kg category, she produced a dominant display against Uzbekistan’s Aziza Yokubova in the preliminary round of 32. The Indian boxer controlled the contest from the opening bell, showcasing sharp combinations and disciplined defence on her way to a unanimous 5-0 victory.
The win secured her passage to the next round and provided a much-needed boost for the Indian contingent. Poonam entered the tournament as one of India’s most promising competitors in the women’s squad. Her convincing performance highlighted the growing depth within Indian women’s boxing, a programme that has steadily established itself among the strongest in Asia over the past decade. However, the remainder of the day proved far more challenging for India’s women boxers.
In the women’s 75kg category, Sanamacha Chanu Thokchom was unable to overcome Canada’s experienced Tammara Thibeault. Despite showing determination throughout the bout, the Indian boxer lost by unanimous decision as the Canadian’s international experience proved decisive. India’s medal hopes also suffered setbacks in the heavier weight divisions.
Naina’s campaign in the women’s 80kg category came to an end after a difficult quarterfinal encounter against China’s Xiaomeng Wang. Competing in front of a home crowd, Wang delivered a composed performance to secure a 5-0 victory and deny the Indian boxer a place in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan faced Poland’s Elzbieta Wojcik in the women’s 90+kg quarterfinal. Alfiya battled hard but was unable to match the consistency of her opponent, eventually losing through a unanimous decision. The result ended another potential medal challenge for India. The defeats were disappointing, particularly given India’s recent success in women’s boxing on the continental stage.
Earlier this year, Indian women played a major role in the country’s strong performance at the Asian Boxing Championships, where several female boxers secured podium finishes and reinforced India’s reputation as a rising force in amateur boxing.
India’s women’s boxing programme has undergone significant growth in recent years, driven by Olympic medallists and world champions who have inspired a new generation of athletes. The current squad in China includes a blend of experienced competitors and emerging talents seeking to establish themselves on the international circuit.
Before the tournament, India ranked among the leading nations in women’s boxing, with the country holding the highest global representation among women boxers in the world’s top three rankings across weight categories.
The Boxing Federation of India had sent a strong women’s contingent to Guiyang, including Poonam, Sanamacha Chanu, Naina and Alfiya, alongside several other talented athletes across multiple weight divisions. The tournament offers not only ranking points but also valuable international exposure against elite opposition.
While the opening day did not produce the results India had hoped for, Poonam’s impressive victory ensured there was still reason for optimism. Her progress to the next round keeps India’s challenge alive and provides an opportunity for the women’s team to regain momentum as the competition continues.
As the World Boxing Cup moves deeper into its knockout stages, Indian supporters will be hoping Poonam can build on her strong start and lead a resurgence for the country’s women boxers. With several of the sport’s biggest names competing in Guiyang, every victory becomes increasingly valuable, and India’s remaining contenders will be determined to make their mark on the international stage.
