Deepak, Nikhil and Saneh Advance as India Continues Positive Run at World Boxing Cup Stage 2

India’s boxing contingent continued to impress at the World Boxing Cup Stage 2 in China, with Deepak, Nikhil and Saneh registering commanding victories on Day 3 to progress in their respective categories. 

The standout result came from Deepak, who produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by defeating Japan’s Sewon Okazawa, the 2025 World Championships silver medallist, via a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision in the men’s 70kg category.

Joining him in the next round were Nikhil, who outclassed Brazil’s Kelvy Trindade, and Saneh, who overcame South Korea’s Seon Sujin in the women’s 65kg division. The trio’s success ensured India maintained its momentum in Guiyang, reinforcing the depth and quality within the national boxing programme.

The headline performance of the day belonged to Deepak, whose emphatic win over Sewon Okazawa showcased composure, tactical awareness and attacking precision. Facing a boxer with proven credentials on the world stage, Deepak refused to be intimidated and instead controlled the bout from start to finish. His unanimous 5-0 verdict reflected complete dominance across all rounds and sent a strong message to the rest of the competition.

Defeating a reigning World Championships silver medallist is a significant achievement and could prove to be a defining moment in Deepak’s international career. The victory also highlighted India’s growing ability to compete successfully against established boxing nations in major tournaments.

In the men’s 55kg category, Nikhil delivered another polished performance to secure his place in the next round. The Indian boxer defeated Brazil’s Kelvy Trindade by a comprehensive 5-0 unanimous decision, demonstrating excellent ring control and consistency throughout the contest. Nikhil’s disciplined approach allowed him to dictate the pace of the bout, limiting opportunities for his opponent while landing effective scoring punches of his own.

The convincing nature of the result will provide him with confidence as the level of competition intensifies in the later rounds.

India also celebrated success in the women’s competition, where Saneh advanced in the 65kg division with an impressive 4-1 win over South Korea’s Seon Sujin. Unlike the unanimous victories secured by Deepak and Nikhil, Saneh’s contest proved more competitive, requiring patience and resilience against a technically sound opponent. Her ability to adapt during the bout and convince four of the five judges ultimately earned her progression, keeping India’s hopes alive in another weight category.

The victory further underlined the strength of India’s women’s boxing programme, which has consistently produced strong international performances in recent years.

Not every Indian boxer enjoyed success on Day 3. In the men’s 80kg division, Malsawmtluanga was defeated 1-4 by Jordan’s Ashaish Hussein, ending his campaign despite a spirited effort.

Meanwhile, Mahi Lama bowed out in the women’s 60kg category after a 0-5 loss to Mongolia’s Monkhor Namuun, who proved too strong on the day. While the defeats were disappointing, they also offered valuable international experience against quality opposition, an essential component in long-term athlete development.

Victories

• Nikhil (55kg) defeated Kelvy Trindade (Brazil) – 5-0

• Deepak (70kg) defeated Sewon Okazawa (Japan) – 5-0

• Saneh (65kg Women) defeated Seon Sujin (South Korea) – 4-1

Defeats

• Malsawmtluanga (80kg) lost to Ashaish Hussein (Jordan) – 1-4

• Mahi Lama (60kg Women) lost to Monkhor Namuun (Mongolia) – 0-5

India’s campaign will continue on Day 4 with two more boxers entering the ring. In the women’s 51kg division, Minakshi will face Poland’s Natalia Kuczewska, a bout expected to test the Indian boxer against strong European opposition. Meanwhile, in the men’s 65kg category, Abhinash Jamwal is scheduled to take on Kyrgyzstan’s Mirzokhid Imamnazarov, with a place in the next stage at stake.

Both contests present opportunities for India to further strengthen its presence in the latter rounds of the tournament.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/deepak-stuns-world-silver-medallist-sewon-okazawa-as-jyoti-assures-india-of-boxing-world-cup-medal-in-china

The performances in China continue to highlight the progress Indian boxing has made across multiple weight categories. Victories over internationally recognised opponents such as Sewon Okazawa demonstrate that Indian boxers are increasingly capable of competing with the best on the world stage. The blend of technical discipline, tactical maturity and confidence shown by athletes like Deepak, Nikhil and Saneh reflects the effectiveness of India’s current development pathways.

The World Boxing Cup also provides valuable exposure ahead of future global events, allowing athletes to gain experience against diverse styles from Asia, Europe and the Americas. With three victories from five bouts on Day 3 and several boxers still in contention, India’s campaign in Guiyang continues to gather momentum.

Deepak’s stunning triumph over a World Championships silver medallist stands out as one of the performances of the tournament so far, while Nikhil and Saneh’s clinical displays further boosted the nation’s medal hopes.

As Minakshi and Abhinash prepare for their respective bouts on Day 4, the Indian camp will be hoping to carry forward this positive momentum and add more wins to an increasingly encouraging campaign at the Boxing World Cup Stage 2.