By admin 
Jaismine Lamboria, the reigning 57kg world champion boxer from India, may earn her living by delivering powerful punches, but when it comes to navigating the intense pressure of elite competition, she finds inspiration in one of India’s most revered cricketing icons: Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "I really admire MS Dhoni’s mindset," the soft-spoken Lamboria reveals, referencing the former Indian captain. "He is known as ‘Captain Cool’ for a reason, and I aspire to possess that same level of calm and composure." This tranquil demeanor will undoubtedly be a significant asset for Lamboria as she prepares for the upcoming days.
At 24 years old, Lamboria stands as one of India’s most promising prospects for a boxing gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She arrives in Scotland with the clear objective of upgrading the bronze medal she secured at the Birmingham Games in 2022. Her trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of spectacular. A breakout 2025 saw her clinch World Cup golds in both Astana and Delhi, culminating in her crowning as the world champion in Liverpool. With such an impressive track record, Lamboria’s ambition in Glasgow is straightforward: "I aim to change the colour of that medal to gold," she states with unwavering resolve. "That’s what I’ve been training and preparing towards."
Standing at an imposing 5ft 8½in, Lamboria possesses a height advantage that is notable by Indian boxing standards. Her recent Olympic debut at Paris 2024 ended in a first-round defeat against Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines, a formidable opponent and the Tokyo silver medallist. However, this setback occurred in a weight class to which she had only recently returned. After a significant period of nearly three years competing in the 60kg category, Lamboria made the strategic decision to drop back down to 57kg during the Paris qualification campaign. This move proved to be a masterstroke, as it ultimately led to her securing the world title by defeating Julia Atena Szeremeta of Poland, the very boxer who had won silver at the Paris Olympics.
"That Paris 2024 Olympics exit was disappointing, but it was an eye-opener," Lamboria reflects. "It prompted several changes in me – physically and mentally. A significant part of this transformation has taken place at the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune, which is where I train." She credits her coaches at ASI for significantly enhancing her physical strength and attributes her sharpened mental game to the dedicated work with a motivational coach and a sports psychologist.
The Indian Army, however, has provided the broader institutional framework that has been instrumental in her development. Following her bronze medal victory at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Lamboria achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female boxer to be inducted into the Indian Army, joining the prestigious Corps of Military Police. She now benefits from the resources and support of the Army’s Mission Olympics Wing. "It’s a great honour that they wanted to begin with me," Lamboria states, "but I also see it as an opportunity to become a role model for female athletes." Her induction into a system that has nurtured numerous Olympians and Paralympians, including the celebrated Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, signifies a new era for women in Indian sports.
In a further commitment to fostering female athletic talent, the Indian Army launched the Girls Sports Company in early 2024. This initiative is designed to train girls aged 12 to 16 in four Olympic sports, including boxing, thereby creating a clear pathway to elite competition and potential army recruitment. "These girl athletes are doing very well too," Lamboria notes with pride. "One boxer has already won Asian Championships gold, which makes me really happy. I may have been the first female boxer in the Indian Army, but I won’t be the last." This sentiment underscores her role as a trailblazer, paving the way for future generations of female athletes within the armed forces.
Lamboria’s profound connection with boxing, however, predates her formal association with the Indian Army. Born in the northern state of Haryana, she grew up in Bhiwani, a city that has long been a crucible for Indian boxing talent, earning the affectionate moniker "Mini Cuba" for its boxing prowess. Her family legacy in the sport is deeply rooted. Her great-grandfather, Hawa Singh, was a towering figure in Indian boxing history. A heavyweight champion, he achieved a remarkable feat by winning successive Asian Games gold medals in 1966 and 1970. He was also instrumental in establishing the renowned Bhiwani Boxing Club, an institution that would later produce celebrated boxers, including Olympic medallist Vijender Singh. While Hawa Singh’s medals are undoubtedly significant, it is not the hardware but the character traits associated with him that resonate most with Lamboria. "He was powerful, but there was also so much humility in him," she recalls, drawing inspiration from family lore.
Her earliest boxing influences were her uncles, Sandeep Singh and Parvinder Singh. "I grew up watching them compete," she shares. "They were the ones who got me started." Lamboria began her serious boxing training around the age of 14. Her initial tutelage was at an academy run by Hawa Singh’s son, Sanjay Sheoran, before she continued her development under the guidance of her uncles.
Despite the rich sporting tradition within her extended family, Lamboria’s upbringing was in a household of modest means. Her father, Jaiveer, serves as a home guard, while her mother, Joginder, manages the household. "Their support has been a big reason why I was the first girl in my immediate family to take up sport seriously," she acknowledges, particularly significant as she is the youngest among the girls in her family. This familial backing provided the crucial foundation for her athletic aspirations.
Her inspirations, however, extend far beyond her immediate family circle. During her formative years, Lamboria idolized Olympic medallists MC Mary Kom and Vijender Singh, pioneers who had already carved out significant legacies in Indian boxing. As her career progressed, she began to look up to Indian Army boxers Amit Panghal and Manish Kaushik, as well as the universally acclaimed Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Her admiration also spans across international sporting figures, including American swimming legend Michael Phelps and Indian sprinting icon Milkha Singh. More recently, she has drawn immense encouragement from senior Indian boxers Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, and Pooja Rani, not only for their medal-winning performances but also for the unwavering support and mentorship they offer to younger athletes. "When you look at them, you naturally feel that you want to do what they have done," she articulates, highlighting the power of role models in shaping ambition.
Now, Lamboria is increasingly stepping into that very role herself. "For a long time, boxing has been seen as a male-dominated sport," she observes. "Being a woman boxer and an Army athlete, it means a lot to compete on the world stage, prove myself, and inspire others through my performances." This shift in perception and opportunity is mirrored in the evolution of the Commonwealth Games itself. Boxing has been a staple of the event since its inception in 1930, but the inclusion of women’s boxing was a relatively recent development, introduced only in 2014. In Glasgow, the boxing competitions commenced on July 24th, with the finals scheduled for July 31st and August 1st, marking another significant chapter in the sport’s integration into major multi-sport events.
Having secured a bronze medal in Birmingham four years ago, Lamboria’s sights are firmly set on achieving the ultimate prize in Glasgow: the gold medal. "When you’re competing overseas and the national anthem plays, it’s a completely different feeling," she shares, her voice tinged with emotion. "I experienced that at the World Championships in Liverpool last year. That’s the moment I want to recreate here." This powerful desire to hear her nation’s anthem play in her honour, a testament to her dedication and hard work, fuels her ambition as she steps into the ring in Glasgow, carrying the hopes of a nation and the inspiration of a new generation. Her journey, marked by resilience, strategic adaptation, and a deep well of personal and familial inspiration, positions her as a compelling figure in the ongoing narrative of Indian sporting excellence.
