From Haryana Village to World Boxing Glory: Hitesh Gulia's Remarkable Journey
In a stunning display of grit and determination, 21-year-old Indian boxer Hitesh Gulia etched his name in the annals of boxing history by claiming the prestigious men's 70kg gold medal at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida. The young welterweight fighter secured a hard-fought 3:2 split decision victory over Kazakhstan's Nurbek Mursal, capping off what has been a breakthrough year for the rising star.
The Golden Triumph and Tournament Turning Point
The path to gold wasn't easy for Gulia, who faced his toughest challenge in the quarterfinals against Japanese boxing sensation Sewon Okazawa. The 2025 World Championships silver medallist and former world champion presented a formidable obstacle, but Gulia rose to the occasion with what he described as the "turning point of the tournament."
"He's someone I've watched on TV for years," Gulia revealed in an exclusive conversation. "To share the ring with him and then beat him gave me immense belief that carried me through the rest of the competition."
This victory in Greater Noida represents the final chapter of an extraordinary World Boxing Cup campaign that saw the Indian pugilist demonstrate remarkable consistency across three continents. The journey began in Brazil where Gulia made history by becoming the first Indian to win a World Boxing Cup gold at Stage I in Foz do Iguaçu back in April.
The Steady Rise to International Prominence
Gulia's golden run continued with a silver medal at Stage II in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he faced strong international competition. The defeat in the final there served as motivation rather than discouragement. "Astana taught me a lot," Gulia reflected. "I lost in the final, but that defeat stayed in my mind. I promised myself that if I reached the final in India, I would not let the gold go."
The completion of this Brazil–Astana–Greater Noida medal treble firmly establishes Gulia as the new face of Indian men's boxing, showcasing not just talent but remarkable consistency on the international stage.
Humble Beginnings and Family Support
The foundations of this spectacular rise were laid in the unassuming surroundings of Jahangirpur village in Haryana's Jhajjar district. Back in 2015, an 11-year-old chubby schoolboy walked into the local government stadium, more concerned about his weight than world titles.
It was there that he met coach Hitesh Deswal, who initially suggested boxing as a fitness activity. "I was overweight, chubby, and not very serious about sport," Gulia recalls. "Coach sir told me to try boxing just to get fit and shed a few kilos. Within a few months, I started loving the game more than anything else."
Behind every successful athlete stands a supportive family, and Gulia's story is no exception. His father Satyaprakash drove a taxi for a private travel company, working long hours to support his family of five children. "We didn't have much, but Papa never made it my problem," Gulia said with evident emotion. "He would leave early, come back late, but if I needed new gloves or shoes, somehow they would appear."
The Career-Defining Breakthrough
The real inflection point in Gulia's career came in 2022 at the SAI Centre in Bhiwani, where Asian champion and Indian boxing icon Suranjoy Singh spotted the then 17-year-old during a sparring session. Impressed by what he saw, Suranjoy offered the young boxer a sailor's position in the Indian Navy, a move that instantly transformed Gulia's life trajectory.
"When Suranjoy sir spoke to me, I couldn't believe it," Gulia remembered. "The Navy job meant my family would be secure, and I could focus fully on boxing. Training with him changed my mindset. He taught me how to stay calm under pressure and think like a champion."
Under Suranjoy's guidance, Gulia developed his signature tactical, counter-punching style that has become the hallmark of his performances this season. The results began to show last year when he broke into the national camp in March and quickly made his presence felt on the domestic circuit.
Domestic Dominance and International Success
Gulia's ascent continued with victories at the 2024 National Championships and gold at the National Games earlier this year, cementing his position as India's leading 70kg boxer. "Once I entered the national camp, everything became more structured – from training to recovery," he explained. "Winning Nationals and the National Games told me I was on the right path, but the goal was always to prove myself internationally."
The Indian Navy further supported his development by sending him to the JSW-promoted Inspire Institute of Sport in Karnataka, where British coach John Wharburton added another layer to his evolution. "At IIS, John sir fine-tuned the small details – footwork, distance, shot selection," Gulia noted. "The exposure to sports science, nutrition, strength and conditioning there has been huge for me."
As Hitesh Gulia stands atop the podium with his World Boxing Cup gold, his journey from a weight-conscious schoolboy in Haryana to an international boxing sensation serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across India. With his consistent performances and unwavering determination, the future of Indian boxing appears to be in capable hands.
