Indian Boxer Mahi Lama Set for 2026 World Cup Stage in China
Published June 14, 2026
Bhopal's 23-year-old boxing sensation, Mahi Lama, is set to represent India in the 60kg category at the 2026 World Cup boxing event in China, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Published — local time around the world
Mahi Lama, a 23-year-old pugilist from Bhopal, India, has achieved a remarkable feat, earning her spot to represent her nation at the 2026 World Cup boxing tournament, which will be hosted in China. Lama is slated to compete in the highly competitive 60kg weight division, showcasing a journey from informal sparring to the international stage.
Her path to elite boxing began unusually, with her father, Amarnath Lama, an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the MP Police, noticing her innate fighting spirit during childhood. Instead of discouraging her energetic displays, he channeled her aggression by enrolling her in a boxing academy. This pivotal decision laid the groundwork for her disciplined sporting career, transforming raw instinct into refined skill.
Coaches at the MP Boxing Academy quickly identified Lama's exceptional natural talent, noting her balance, timing, and ferocity. They describe her as an instinctive fighter whose aggressive style is surprisingly complemented by a strong sense of discipline. Her academy coach, Roshan Lal, highlighted her inherent rawness and rare hunger, emphasizing the focus on providing structure and technical refinement to her powerful natural abilities.
Lama's inclusion in the Indian contingent for the 2026 World Cup boxing event underscores her rapid ascent in the sport, bringing her unique blend of instinct and training to a global audience. While the FIFA World Cup 2026 will bring football action to North America, this separate boxing World Cup in China will feature top combatants like Lama from around the globe.