At the age of 24, Rohtak’s Meenakshi Hooda made history by becoming the world champion in the women’s 48kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool. Her journey began far from the arena — in the back of a rented car.
The youngest of four siblings, Meenakshi grew up watching her father Srikrishan work as an autorickshaw driver. Poverty overshadowed every step. Her father wasn’t worried about her talent, but the cost: “How can I afford a special diet or equipment?”
However, her mother’s quiet determination combined with her coach Vijay Hooda’s faith changed everything. At the age of 12, Meenakshi joined a local boxing academy run by Vijay. He spotted her talent, bought her her first uniform, provided her with the right diet and convinced her hesitant father to let her train.
Once Srikrishan saw his daughter in the ring, there was no going back. He transported her daily, lent her money at tournaments and stood at ringside as her loudest supporter. Over time, her first successes — sub-junior wins, the Khelo India School Games title, the 2019 Junior Championship gold — have shown that the investment is paying off.
Climbing the ranks
Meenakshi rose through the ranks. In 2021, she won silver at the national championship among adults. In 2022, she won silver at the Asian Boxing Championship among amateurs in the strongest weight up to 52 kg. Later, she moved to the category up to 48 kg.
She also won national titles in 2023 and 2024, including defeating famous boxers like Neetu Gangas. The move to 48kg, while not Olympic, gave her a chance to cement her dominance in that weight class.
In Liverpool, Meenakshi defeated Kazakhstan’s Nazim Kizaiba — multiple world champion and Olympic bronze medalist — by a split decision 4:1 to win gold in the 48kg weight category.
“It was my dream to become a world champion,” she says. “I’ve made it and this is just the beginning.”
For a girl who once took a rented car to practice daily, whose father fretted over every rupee spent, Meenakshi’s journey shows what unfolds when talent meets support, discipline and faith. Her victory is not just a personal triumph – it is a reference for young girls from small towns: it is possible to reach the very top on the world stage.
