From Weight Loss Goal to World Stage: Hitesh Gulia’s Golden Year

Twenty-one-year-old boxer Hitesh Gulia has emerged as a rising global star for Indian boxing, completing a sensational year by clinching his third international medal. His journey began unexpectedly in 2015 when he first stepped into the ring simply to lose weight.

A Breakout Year of Medals

Hitesh recently secured his biggest win at the World Boxing Cup Finals in Greater Noida, dominating the men’s $70\text{ kg}$ welterweight category.

• Final Victory: He defeated Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Mursal with a gritty $3-2$ split verdict in a thrilling bout.
• 2025 Medal Haul: The gold in Greater Noida capped a remarkable treble this year:
  • Gold Medal (Stage 1): World Boxing Cup in Brazil (First Indian to win gold at this event).
  • Silver Medal (Stage 2): World Boxing Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Hitesh stated that the gold is the result of ten years of hard work, noting that a key turning point was his decision to join the Indian Navy as a sailor, which provided him with access to international-standard training.

Overcoming Struggles

Hitesh’s path to the top was paved with personal struggles in his village, Jahangirpur, in Haryana’s Jhajjar district.

• Family Support: Hitesh, the youngest of five siblings, recalls that while he fought inside the ring, his father, a taxi driver, “fought his own battles outside.”
• Father’s Dedication: Despite working all day, his father shielded him from financial worries, always insisting that he focus on his boxing.

Recalling his starting point, Hitesh emphasized the transformative nature of prioritizing health: “Uss time pe bas fit hona tha, wohi goal tha. But taking that one step towards health changed everything. When you decide to improve your lifestyle, you realise your own potential.”