Hitesh Gulia is a 20-year-old Indian boxer who won a gold medal at the World Boxing Cup in Foz Do Iguacu, Brazil in April 2025 . He secured the top position in the 70kg division after his opponent, Odel Kamara of England, withdrew due to an injury . Gulia is the first Indian boxer to win a gold medal at this World Cup .
Details about Hitesh Gulia:
- Early life and career beginnings: Gulia started boxing in 2014 at the age of 10 to improve his fitness, as he weighed 50 kg . His initial goal was to lose weight, but his passion for the sport grew as he competed in district and state-level competitions . By age 14, he had reduced his weight to 40kg and won several medals .
- Financial struggles and support: Hitesh comes from a humble background and faced financial difficulties, which almost led him to quit boxing in 2022 . He was scouted by the Indian Navy and offered a position as a sailor, which provided him with a stable income and allowed him to continue his boxing career .
- National Success: Prior to his World Cup win, Hitesh won gold medals at the Inter-Services meet, the Boxing Nationals, and the National Games in Uttarakhand .
- Training and Mentorship: Hitesh trained at the SAI National Boxing Academy in Bhiwani . He was scouted by Suranjoy Singh, a coach with the Indian Navy, who recognized his potential and mentored him .
- Future Goals: Hitesh aims to secure a gold medal for India at the World Championships in Liverpool and excel at the Asian Games in 2026 .
