Ghulam Qadir/Nagpur

Alfiya Pathan from Nagpur is on the way to becoming the next Mary Kom and seeing her name inscribed on the pages of history. As the 24-year-old Alfiya looks back on her early struggles, a gentle, almost childlike smile crosses her face.

She recalls the days when she insisted on learning boxing from her father, Akram Pathan.

Coming from a conservative society, the father was anxious about his daughter’s safety, and he refused to be her Guru.

Alfiya Pathan showing her medals

However, seeing the fire in his daughter’s eyes, he ignored the risks and decided to help her.

He agreed on one condition: “Whatever happens in the arena will happen right before my eyes.”

From that day, Alfiya has not only brought pride to Nagpur and Maharashtra but has also unfurled the tricolour on the global stage.

Alfiya’s journey is nothing short of a cinema script. Interestingly, the spark within this steely boxer was lit on a cinema screen.

Her brother, Shakib Pathan, was already into boxing, and watching him fight in the ring made her restless. Around the same time, Priyanka Chopra’s film Mary Kom was released. The film awakened the boxer in Alfiya.

Alfiya Pathan with her father and senior Police officer at her felicitation ceremony

Watching girls train at the Mankapur Sports Complex changed her curiosity into passion. The road to glory and achievement, however, was fraught with challenges. Family traditions and social norms stood in the way.

A strong-willed Alfiya tried everything to ward off the obstacles. She pleaded with her family and relatives and finally had her way to get permission to step into the ring.

Competing in the 81 kg category, Alfiya Pathan is known for her boxing style and is often called “Nagpur’s Dream Girl” and “the new steel of Indian boxing.”

She announced her arrival on the world stage by winning gold at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championship held in Kalisz. In the final, she faced a formidable opponent—the European champion Daria Kozorez of Moldova. But that day, Alfiya seemed made of different clay altogether. 

Screenshot of Alfiya Pathan as TV news announces her victory

 She defeated Daria with a clean 5–0. Those watching the bout saw that Alfiya never lost control for even a moment. Her agility, precision punches, and ability to read an opponent’s weaknesses crowned her a world champion.

There are two sides to Alfiya’s personality. Outside the ring, her face carries the innocence and curiosity of a child who loves biryani and enjoys drawing in her spare time. But the moment she steps into the ring, her expression transforms into one of fierce determination.

“Inside the ring, I am emotionless,” she says, “because boxing has taught me to control my attitude.” Her first coach, Ganesh Purohit, describes her as a complete athlete—strong, fast, and, above all, possessed of a spirit that refuses to accept defeat.

Throughout Alfiya’s journey, her father has stood by her like a shield. The man who once opposed boxing now accompanies his daughter on every tour.

Alfiya Pathan in the ring

When the Maharashtra Police honoured Alfiya, the pride and joy in her father’s eyes meant more than winning a medal in a bout. A key milestone in her career came at the Junior Women’s National Cup in Serbia in 2018, where she won silver and marked her international arrival.

She has not looked back since. In 2019, she won gold at the Asian Junior Boxing Championship by defeating a boxer from Kazakhstan, etching her name among the country’s most successful pugilists.

While she holds legends like Mary Kom and Nikhat Zareen in the highest regard, Alfiya also voices a gentle grievance. “Everyone talks about Mary Kom ma’am and Nikhat’s boxing,” she says, “but there are many boxers like me who are quietly bringing glory to the country.” She shares a close friendship with Nikhat Zareen, and their photos on social media exemplify true sportsmanship.

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Alfiya Pathan first donned boxing gloves at the age of just 14. Gruelling training of 28 hours a week and challenges born of poverty only strengthened her resolve. Today, she is not merely a boxer but an inspiration to thousands of girls who wish to break stereotypes and soar across the skies of their dreams.