Anamika Hooda stands out in the world of Indian boxing. Not many female boxers in India adopt the aggressive style that this flyweight does. Her approach makes her a tough opponent, even for seasoned fighters like two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen.

As a two-time national champion, Anamika, who is on the shorter side, takes every chance to close the distance with her opponents. Once she’s in close, she unleashes a flurry of punches. This kind of close-range fighting isn’t common among Indian boxers, who usually prefer to keep their distance, step back, and create space for their attacks. Anamika, however, applies pressure and her powerful combinations often throw her opponents off balance. It’s not unusual for her to win by RSC (referee stops contest). At the Elite Women's National Championships, she secured two RSC victories and advanced to the semifinals by defeating Delhi's Mehak Dharra with a score of 5-0.

"I’m shorter, so I need to get in close to throw my punches. I can’t hit from far away since most of my opponents are taller. My strategy is to keep the pressure on them until the final bell," Anamika shared with HT.

Her fighting style has been shaped by years of competing mainly against boys. "I grew up sparring with boys because there weren’t any girls in my academy. If I didn’t go on the attack, I’d get beaten up. It’s made me tougher," she explained.

"Even now, I mostly spar with male boxers. I feel that when I train with female boxers, I’m helping them improve, but it doesn’t really challenge me," said the Railways boxer.

In the past three years, Anamika has clinched the senior national title twice, in 2021 and 2023. Her only defeat came in the 2022 final against Nikhat. Despite Nikhat's preference for delivering precise punches from a distance, she struggled to fend off Anamika's aggressive approach. The match in Bhopal was closely contested, requiring Nikhat to really push herself to secure the win. Since then, Anamika has made significant strides in her career. While she has often been seen as the second choice behind Nikhat on the Indian team, she primarily competes in lower-tier international events. However, during this Olympic cycle, it's likely that Anamika's tenacious and sometimes gritty style will lead to more encounters with Nikhat.

"I’ve been part of national camps for three years now, and I know my chance will come. I’ve watched how Nikhat didi has been patient. When Mary didi (Mary Kom) was around, she waited for her moment. I think patience is key," Anamika shared.

"The National Championships are just a stepping stone for me. My main focus is on major international competitions like the CWG, Asian Games, World Championships, and the 2028 Olympics. I have faith in myself and believe in hard work. In the ring, I treat everyone as a competitor, so I’ll be ready if I have to face her," said the 24-year-old from Rohtak, who is four years younger than Nikhat.

Once the World Boxing Federation announces the weight classes for the 2028 LA Games, Nikhat and Anamika will be able to decide which division to enter. In the previous cycle, Nikhat had to move from flyweight at 52kg during the 2022 World Championships to light flyweight at 50kg for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Her coaches believe Anamika has the potential to defeat top competitors but needs to be smart about her aggression. "With her style, opponents often clinch, and sometimes her punches don’t connect cleanly. She needs to strike at the right moments," explains Railways coach Mohammed Ali Qamar, a Commonwealth Games champion.

Recently, Anamika spent two months training in Uzbekistan alongside the men's national team. The Uzbek men secured five gold medals in Paris. "I focused on my fitness and endurance. Their ability to fight until the end comes from their hard work. Previously, my approach was all about offense, but now I’m more strategic," she shared.

Last year, she gave world champion Wu Yu a tough match in the Elorda Cup final. Just three months later, Wu Yu went on to win gold in Paris, defeating Nikhat in the Round of 16. Anamika later clinched gold at the BRICS Games in Russia.

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