TOISA 2025 Boxing nominees: India's boxing stars set for honours

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) will be held on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, celebrating the achievements and inspiring journeys of India’s top athletes across various sports.

TOISA 2025 will honour performances from January 1 to December 31, 2025, recognising standout moments from global championships and international tournaments.More than 45 categories will acknowledge both sporting icons and emerging talents who brought pride to the country. Winners will be chosen by a distinguished jury of sporting legends, including Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal, and Leander Paes, ensuring credible recognition of excellence in Indian sport.

Here are the Boxing players nominated for TOISA 2025:

Boxing (male)

Name: Sachin SiwachDate of Birth: Dec, 1999 (Date not publicly available)Place of Birth: Bhiwani, HaryanaSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Cup Finals: Gold• World Boxing Cup (Brazil leg): BronzeSachin Siwach won the gold medal in the men’s 60 kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida, defeating Kyrgyzstan’s Munarbek Seitbek Uulu in the final to help India’s boxing team record multiple gold medals at the season-ending event.

His performance in the lightweight division was a key part of India’s strong showing in the men’s section.Name: Hitesh GuliaDate of Birth: Not publicly availablePlace of Birth: Not publicly availableSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Cup Finals: Gold• World Boxing Cup (Brazil leg): GoldHitesh Gulia secured the gold medal in the men’s 70 kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida, defeating Kazakhstan’s Mursal Nurbek in the final.

Hitesh also won gold at the Brazil leg of World Boxing Cup, outclassing Kan Chia-Wei of Chinese Taipei 5-0 in the light middleweight division at the Beeline Arena.Name: Pawan BartwalDate of Birth: Not publicly availablePlace of Birth: UttarakhandSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Cup Finals (55 kg): SilverPawan Bartwal won the silver medal in the men’s 55 kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida.

He reached the final and finished runner-up after competing strongly throughout the tournament, adding to India’s list of medals at the season-ending international event.Name: Ankush PanghalDate of Birth: Not publicly availablePlace of Birth: HaryanaSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Cup Finals (80 kg): Silver medalAnkush Panghal earned a silver medal in the men’s 80 kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida.

His performance contributed to the Indian men’s team’s podium finishes at the event, as India secured multiple medals across weight divisions.----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boxing (female)

Name: Minakshi HoodaDate of Birth: 2 August 2001Place of Birth: Rurki, Rohtak, Haryana, IndiaSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Championships in Liverpool: Gold• World Boxing Cup Finals: GoldMinakshi Hooda won the gold medal in the women’s 48 kg event at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool, defeating Kazakhstan’s Olympic bronze medallist Nazym Kyzaibay 4-1 in the final to become world champion.

She was part of India’s women’s team that delivered top results at major international competitions, contributing to the country’s success at the new global season-ending events.Name: Jaismine LamboriaDate of Birth: 2001Place of Birth: HaryanaSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Championshipsin Liverpool: Gold• World Boxing Cup Finals: GoldJaismine Lamboria won the gold medal in the women’s 57 kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, defeating Olympic silver medallist Julia Szeremeta of Poland 4-1 in the final.

Her performance helped India secure two gold medals among a total of four medals at the championships, underlining a strong campaign by Indian women boxers. She was also among India’s leading competitors at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 as part of the national squad.Name: Nikhat ZareenDate of Birth: 14 June 1996Place of Birth: Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, IndiaSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Cup Finals: Gold medal in Women’s 51 kgNikhat Zareen won the gold medal in the women’s 51 kg category at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in Greater Noida, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Guo Yi Xuan 5-0 in the final.

This title marked her return to top form and added a major international gold to her record after a period without a podium finish, boosting her confidence and reinforcing her status as one of India’s leading pugilists in women’s boxing.Name: Pooja RaniDate of Birth: 1991Place of Birth: Bhiwani, HaryanaSport: BoxingMajor Achievements in 2025:• World Boxing Championships: Bronze. Women's National Boxing Championships: GoldPooja Rani secured the bronze medal in the women’s 80 kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, reaching the semifinals where she lost to England’s Emily Asquith by a 4-1 split decision.