World boxing gold a stepping stone: Minakshi

It's been only a few hours since she landed to a rousing welcome in her native Rurki village in Haryana's Rohtak district, but Minakshi Hooda is already looking beyond the most significant success of her career.

- Shantanu Srivastava

The tag of 48kg world boxing champion sits light on her as the 24-year-old insists she is not scared to dream.

"Of course, world champion sounds nice, but I believe I am capable of bigger success. I don't want to be satisfied just yet," she said.

"I never really idolised a boxer, except Vijender Singh. I always dreamt of people looking up to me. I hope, with this medal, I have managed that," she said.

Minakshi has managed a little more. With her commanding 4-1 win over Nazym Kzaibay of Kazakhstan in the final at Liverpool, she ensured Indian women's dominance in the lightest weight class continues. Nitu Ghanghas won the 48kg title in 2023 after six-time world champion Mary Kom dominated the division for years.

"This is only a start, a stepping stone. I believe I have the ability to win much more now that I have got a taste of how it's done," Minakshi asserted.