In a moment of pride for Indian boxing, Nupur, the granddaughter of legendary heavyweight boxer Hawa Singh, clinched the gold medal at the recently concluded World Boxing Cup held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The young pugilist’s triumph is being celebrated across the Indian sporting community as she continues the legacy of her grandfather, widely regarded as the father of heavyweight boxing in India.
The legacy of Hawa Singh
Hawa Singh, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, was instrumental in shaping Indian boxing through his dominance in the heavyweight category and later as a revered coach at the Bhiwani Boxing Club, Haryana. His training moulded champions like Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar. The Padma Shri awardee’s vision was to see India excel in global boxing competitions, and decades later, his granddaughter has fulfilled a part of that dream.
Nupur’s journey to gold
Nupur (23) competed in the women’s 81+ kg category and defeated Ukraine’s Anastasiia Lisinska in a unanimous 5-0 decision. Her powerful jabs, relentless aggression, and intelligent footwork impressed the judges throughout the bout.
Reflecting on her victory, Nupur said:
“This gold is not just mine. It belongs to my grandfather who dreamt of this day, my family, and my coaches who shaped me. Boxing is in my blood, and I hope to inspire many girls back home.”
Road to the final
| Round | Opponent | Country | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Quarters | Maria Dubois | France | Won (4-1) |
| Quarterfinals | Zoya Ramzan | Kazakhstan | Won (5-0) |
| Semifinals | Fatima Chakhkiev | Russia | Won (4-1) |
| Final | Anastasiia Lisinska | Ukraine | Won (5-0) |
Nupur displayed mental toughness throughout the tournament, especially in the semifinal where she recovered from an initial point deficit with counter-attacking combinations and rapid hooks.
Family support and training discipline
The young boxer attributes her success to her father Rajender Singh, who ensured she trained rigorously under national coaches while pursuing her degree in Physical Education at Kurukshetra University. Her daily schedule included:
- 4 AM: Strength and endurance drills
- 8 AM: Technical boxing sparring
- 11 AM – 2 PM: College lectures
- 5 PM onwards: Evening boxing practice with sparring partners
Her mother, a former kabaddi player, maintained her nutrition with traditional Haryana protein-rich diets combined with modern sports science.
Impact on Indian women’s boxing
Nupur’s gold adds to India’s rising profile in women’s boxing. The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) lauded her performance as “a testament to grassroots development and the power of family sporting legacies”. President Ajay Singh remarked:
“Nupur’s victory will inspire the next generation of boxers to aim for Olympic medals. We will ensure she gets all the support needed for her Paris 2028 preparation.”
Comparison with India’s previous World Cup medalists
| Year | Boxer | Weight Category | Medal Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mary Kom | 46 kg | Gold |
| 2018 | Lovlina Borgohain | 69 kg | Bronze |
| 2022 | Nikhat Zareen | 52 kg | Gold |
| 2025 | Nupur | 81+ kg | Gold |
Nupur becomes only the fourth Indian woman to clinch gold at the World Boxing Cup, strengthening India’s medal tally at global events.
Training under modern coaches and technology
Her preparation for the World Cup involved:
- AI-enabled performance tracking: Analysing punch speed, reaction time, and endurance
- High-altitude conditioning: In Uttarakhand for enhanced stamina
- Sports psychology sessions: To build composure during tight bouts
Reaction from Indian sports community
Former world champion MC Mary Kom tweeted:
“Congratulations to Nupur! Your grandfather would be so proud. India needs champions like you.”
Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh also praised her victory, saying:
“Hawa Singh Saab’s granddaughter bringing gold is like destiny fulfilling itself. She has everything to become India’s next big boxing star.”
Future tournaments and Olympic vision
Nupur’s next targets include the Asian Boxing Championships and the Olympic qualifiers. Her long-term goal remains clear: to win India’s first-ever women’s Olympic heavyweight boxing medal at Paris 2028.
Challenges ahead
Despite her gold, experts highlighted the need for exposure trips, international sparring partners, and injury management facilities to match the preparation standards of European and Cuban heavyweights.
Key focus areas for Indian boxing post-World Cup
| Area | Current Status | Proposed Improvements |
|---|---|---|
| International exposure | Limited to Asia and Eastern Europe | Regular training in Cuba, USA, Ireland |
| Sports science integration | Improving with private academy tie-ups | Full-time dedicated sports scientists at national camps |
| Sponsorship & infrastructure | Growing support for medal prospects | Broader ecosystem support for all weight categories |
Disclaimer
This news content is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to cross-verify match statistics and quotes from official event releases and boxing federations before making professional or editorial decisions.
