Havildar Jugnoo of the Indian Army’s 8 Mahar Regiment has secured the silver medal in the 85kg weight category at the World Boxing Cup 2025 held in Astana. The tournament concluded its finals on July 6 at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Art Palace, drawing top boxing talent from around the world.
Jugnoo’s performance stood out amid a field of elite international boxers, with his journey to the finals marked by fierce bouts and a display of remarkable grit and technical skill. His silver medal is a significant achievement for both Indian boxing and the Indian Army’s sporting ecosystem.
The Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, established in 2001, played a key role in shaping Jugnoo’s boxing career. The ASI provides high-performance training and international exposure, contributing to the consistent emergence of medal-winning athletes from military ranks.
This victory carries added emotional weight given Jugnoo’s affiliation with the Mahar Regiment. Once excluded from the Indian Army’s class-based regiments in 1892, the Mahar Regiment was revived in 1941 and has since built a proud legacy of service and inclusion, drawing troops from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Jugnoo’s podium finish reflects both personal excellence and the historic resilience of his regiment.
The 2025 World Boxing Cup, which began on June 3, awarded 20 gold medals across weight categories and saw intense competition, especially from traditional powerhouses like the USA. Jugnoo’s silver medal stands as one of India’s top finishes in the event, underscoring the nation’s rising profile in global boxing circuits.
His achievement is expected to inspire the next generation of athletes, while reinforcing the Indian Army’s commitment to developing sports talent across disciplines.
