In brief
World‑champion boxer Jaismine Lamboria has broken barriers by joining the Indian Army’s military police, becoming its first female boxer. Drawing from the calm mind of MS Dhoni, she uses mental training to turn Olympic setbacks into achievements. With a gold‑medal goal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Lamboria’s journey from Haryana’s ‘Mini Cuba’ to global stages showcases how military support and family legacy can shape a champion. Her story also highlights the growing role of women in traditionally male‑dominated sports and the Army’s new Girls Sports Company, creating pathways for young female athletes.
Jaismine Lamboria, the 24‑year‑old world‑champion in the 57kg division, has broken new ground by joining India’s Corps of Military Police – the army’s first female boxer. Training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, her coaches sharpen both her physical strength and her mental focus.
“I admire MS Dhoni’s calm mindset,” she says. “I want to be as cool on the ropes as he is on the field.” That composure has become vital as she prepares for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where she seeks to replace the bronze from Birmingham 2022 with a gold medal.
After a breakthrough 2025 that saw her win World Cup golds in Astana and Delhi and the world title in Liverpool, Lamboria’s focus is simple – change the medal colour to gold. The Paris 2024 Olympic exit was a learning point; she credits the Army Sports Institute’s coaching and a sports psychologist for turning that setback into a stepping‑stone.
Born in Bhiwani, Haryana – dubbed India’s ‘Mini Cuba’ – Lamboria grew up idolising Olympic medallists like Mary Kom and Vijender Singh. Her great‑grandfather, Hawa Singh, won Asian Games gold in 1966 and 1970, instilling a boxing heritage in her family.
Her training began at age 14, first at a club run by her great‑grandfather’s son, then under her uncles Sandeep and Parvinder Singh. Despite modest family means, their backing helped her become the first girl in her immediate family to take up sport seriously.
Joining the army now places Lamboria in a system that has produced Olympians like Neeraj Chopra and provides a platform for her to inspire the next generation. The army’s Girls Sports Company, launched in early 2024, already sees several female athletes winning Asian Championship golds.
She sees her role beyond personal medals – as a role model proving that women can thrive in boxing. She invites the next wave of girls to step into the ring, just as she stepped into the army.
For a full picture of her road to Glasgow, view the photo above, which shows Lamboria preparing for the Commonwealth Games.
