Sara Ćirković made history in front of a home crowd at the Čair Sports Center, by securing Serbia’s first-ever medal at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships at the tournament that is ongoing in Niš.

Many predicted the hosts to stand on the podium in at least one weight category, after claiming 11 medals at the 2024 EUBC European Boxing Championships in April, and the golden girl Ćirković duly delivered on that prediction. She advanced to the semi-finals of the 54kg tournament by defeating Zhaina Shekerbekova from Kazakhstan, a three-time World medallist. Little separated them – with both boxers winning unanimous favor with different judges. Importantly for Ćirković, she eked out the win to guarantee at least a bronze medal.

All winners today guaranteed bronze medals as well as prize money of at least $25,000. Gold medal winners will claim $100,000 and the silver medallists will receive $50,000.

Following her victory, Ćirković said: ‘She [Shekerbekova] had more intuition and experience than me, but I managed to beat her. The bout was difficult, but the next one will be better. It was very good, honestly it was a tough fight for me. I won a historic medal, the first in history, so I have to be satisfied.’

To make it to the final, she must defeat Moroccan top seed Widad Bertal in the semi-finals. Bertal continued to look like the biggest threat in the tournament, after defeating Vietnam’s Thi Kim Anh Vo by referee’s stoppage. The two-time African champion caused an early end to the match in the final round.

Turkish boxer Hatice Akbas won a gruelling match against Russian Karina Tazabekova, in one of the most anticipated quarter-finals today. Akbas took the lead, but her opponent remained in contention and gave her a good challenge throughout. In the end, a split decision went the way of the Olympic silver medallist and 2022 World champion. Venezuela was denied their first World medal in history, as Natnicha Chongprongklang from Thailand pipped Johana Gomez to victory. Chongprongklang unanimously won the opening round, but Gomez replied by causing a standing count against the Thai boxer. With all to play for in the third round, the Thai won favour with four of the five judges.

First-ever IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships medals secured for Serbia and Slovakia

It was a successful afternoon for the hosts, who guaranteed more medals shortly after Ćirković’s success. 60kg top seed Natalia Shadrina comfortably defeated Josfien Betist of Sierra Leone by a unanimous decision to make it into the semi-finals. Her next opponent is Viktoriya Grafeyeva of Kazakhstan, who defeated Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova by the same verdict.

On the other side of the draw, a close encounter saw Russian Nune Asatrian come from behind to defeat Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria. The 23-year-old was much better in the third round, which made the difference with the judges. Asatrian next boxes Miroslava Jedinakova, who became the first athlete to win a first IBA World Championships medal for Slovakia. The scores were completely equal into the last round, but the Slovakian emerged victorious in the third round against Turkish boxer Gizem Ozer.

Jedinakova, following her win, said: “I feel great and thankful to my coach, my family and everyone. This is not the end. We are going to the semi-finals and we are trying to do our best. Thanks to everyone who was cheering for me.”

Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkibekova guaranteed herself another IBA World Championships medal, as she continues her quest for gold in the 50kg weight category. With a World silver and bronze medals to her name so far, she will stand on the podium for a third time following her victory over Aysen Taskin of Türkiye.

A scrappy, high-energy opening bout saw An Kum Byol from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea win by a split decision over Spanish third seed Laura Fuertes – a contest that was very close to call. She meets Hu Meiyi from China in the semi-finals, who enacted revenge on Asian champion and top seed Chuthamat Raksat from Thailand. In the Asian Championships quarter-finals last year, Raksat eliminated Hu by a unanimous decision on her way to gold. This time, it was a fine margin between the pair and Hu was incredibly passionate in her celebration.

An all-Asian semi-final was confirmed when Sabina Bobokulova from Uzbekistan won by a split decision against Bulgarian Zlatislava Chukanova. Uzbekistan has never made it to a final at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, with Bobokulova hoping to be the first.

Two-time World champion and Olympic gold medallist Busenaz Surmeneli of Türkiye had no problem progressing to the 66kg semi-finals, doing so by a unanimous decision against Slovakia’s Tamara Kubalova. Her next opponent will be Serbia’s Anastasija Lukajic, who had a positive third round to squeeze past Crinuta Sebe of Romania. Albina Moldazhanova of Russia is through too, beating Kazakhstan’s Zhasmin Kizatova by referee’s stoppage in the third round. Meeting her in the semi-finals is Navbakhor Khamidova from Uzbekistan, who won by a unanimous decision over Morocco’s Mounia Toutire.

Referee’s stoppages were aplenty in the 81kg quarter-finals, with three contests stopping prematurely. Russia’s Saltanat Medenova was a first-round winner, resoundingly beating Maria Cimpoeru from Romania. This was followed by Morocco’s Hasnae Larti forcing the referee to stop her match in the third round, after getting the better of Victoriya Kebikava of Belarus. Wang Xiaomeng from China defeated Kenyan Elizabeth Andiego in the second round by referee’s stoppage, while Türkiye’s Busra Isildar won by a unanimous decision against Sokhiba Ruzmetova from Uzbekistan.

Guneri becomes more decorated with sixth IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships medal

Türkiye’s Elif Guneri guaranteed a sixth World medal after beating top seed Aynur Rzayeva from Azerbaijan by a split decision in the +81kg weight category. Showing respect for her opponent, Guneri kissed Rzayeva’s forehead and then her opponent’s flag on her vest, before raising her arm to show her appreciation.

Guneri has yet to win a gold, but now with six medals, is already one of the most-decorated female boxers at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. She is tied with Ireland’s Katie Taylor – five golds and one bronze – for number of medals, and behind India’s Mary Kom – who has won six golds, one silver and one bronze. Guneri’s opponent will be China’s Zhan Yilian who defeated Russian Mariia Kuchmanova in the final bout of the session.

On the other side of the bracket, Kazakhstan’s Asian champion Yeldana Talipova progressed at the expense of Sara Miljkovic of Serbia by a split decision. French Polynesia’s hopes of winning their first World medal ended as Daria Sazonova won by referee’s stoppage against Zamora Nena, securing the first medal for Moldova since 2001.

IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2025 is live-streamed fully on the IBA YouTube channel. All draws, schedules and results are available on IBA website. Photos can be found on IBA Flickr channel.

______________

Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport