Once shining as a Judo player, Chandigarh’s Sonia Kanwar will now officiate World Boxing Championships at Liverpool
The 47-year-old will be among the 35 judges and referees from across the world who will be at the World Boxing Championships.
3 min read
Dr Sonia Kanwar Jarial From the judo mats of Chandigarh to the boxing rings of the world, Dr Sonia Kanwar Jarial has scripted a journey that inspires far beyond sport. Jarial, who is the associate professor of Physical Education at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College (SGGSC-26), Sector 26, has been nominated to officiate at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool from September 2 to 14, a recognition of her two decades of dedication to the sport.
The 47-year-old will be among the 35 judges and referees from across the world who will be at the World Boxing Championships.
Jarial began her officiating career in 2004 by earning her IBA 1-Star referee/judge qualification. Since then, she kept shattering barriers, with the first being in 2018, when she became the first Indian woman to clear the IBA 2-Star exam in Indonesia. In 2022, she achieved IBA 3-Star status in Slovenia, qualifying her for World Championships and the Olympics; and in 2024, she became the first Indian female to pass the World Boxing Exam in Colorado Springs, US. Now, her sights are set at the Olympics.
Her sporting roots go back to Class 7 at Moti Ram Arya Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, Chandigarh, where she began as a judo player. She went on to win medals at the National Championships, and later, at Government College for Girls, Sector 11, she bagged three consecutive golds at the All India Intervarsity Championships along with a silver at the Senior Nationals. During her MPEd at Panjab University in 2001, she took up boxing, a sport she has passionately pursued ever since.
Over the years, Jarial has officiated at top international events, including the World Championships in Armenia and the US, the World Women’s Championships in New Delhi, the Asian Championships across Mongolia, Taiwan, and Dubai, the SEA Games in Cambodia, the Thailand Open, the Strandja Cup in Bulgaria, and the Silver Belt Series in Slovenia. She has also been part of the Khelo India Games, National Games, and Indian team selections for the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Behind her success, she said, stand strong pillars of support from her parents, who instilled resilience, her mentor Dr C K Jerath, who is also an advisor of BFI and chairman CABA, and her college management. At home, her husband Rajeev Jarial and children Naisha and Viraajveer have been her constant strength.
“For me, it’s not just about making calls inside the ring,” Jarial said, adding “It’s about protecting the integrity of every fight.”
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