Women’s World Boxing Championships (Serbia 2025): Widad Bertal Crowned Champion (Video Highlights)
On March 16, 2025, Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal won the world title in the 52-54 kg category at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš, Serbia. She defeated Turkey’s Hatice Akbas 5-2, showcasing her talent. Additionally, Hasna Larti earned a bronze medal, further highlighting Morocco’s emerging strength in women's boxing.
hassan benyoub 
Niš, Serbia, March 16, 2025 – Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal claimed the world title in the 52-54 kg category on Sunday at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš, Serbia, cementing her status as a rising star in the sport. The event, held from March 8 to 16, showcased top-tier talent, with Bertal emerging as a standout victor.
???#FLASH| La boxeuse marocaine Widad Bertal ?? remporte le Championnat du monde de boxe féminine ? dans la catégorie 54 kg.
pic.twitter.com/CA1ocelMCT — Morocco Intelligence (@MoroccoIntel) March 16, 2025
Bertal’s Path to Gold
Bertal, a decorated athlete with gold medals from the African Championships in Yaoundé (2023) and Kinshasa (2024), triumphed in the final against Turkey’s Hatice Akbas—a formidable opponent who won the world title in 2022 and secured silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Moroccan prevailed with a 5-2 decision, displaying precision and resilience. Posts on X, like @MoroccoIntel’s at 11:20 PDT, hailed her victory: “Widad Bertal remporte le Championnat du monde de boxe féminine dans la catégorie 54 kg.”
Her journey to the top included a hard-fought semifinal win over Serbia’s Sara Cirkovic, edging out a 4-3 victory in a tightly contested bout. Bertal’s performance throughout the tournament underscored her growth since her Paris 2024 Olympic quarterfinal exit, where she fell 4-0 to North Korea’s Pang Chol-mi.
Hasna Larti Secures Bronze
Morocco’s success extended beyond Bertal, with compatriot Hasna Larti earning bronze in the 75-81 kg category. Larti advanced to the semifinals by defeating Bulgaria’s Victoriya Kebikava via referee-stopped contest (RSC) in the quarterfinals—an emphatic statement of her power. Her run ended against Russia’s Saltanat Medenova, who won unanimously (5-0) in the semis, but Larti’s podium finish added to Morocco’s haul. Posts on X praised the duo, with @AtKoraMaroc noting Bertal’s “exploit exceptionnel” and Larti’s contribution to national pride.
A Milestone for Moroccan Boxing
Bertal’s gold—her first world championship title—builds on Morocco’s boxing legacy, following Khadija El Mardi’s heavyweight world title in 2023. The 25-year-old, born August 31, 1999, has now added global glory to her African and Pan-Arab Games accolades. Video highlights circulating on X, like @Le360fr’s, capture her decisive moments against Akbas, with fans lauding her technique and tenacity.
Held in Niš, the championships drew elite pugilists worldwide, with Morocco’s two medals reflecting the nation’s growing prowess in women’s boxing. Bertal’s triumph over a seasoned champion like Akbas signals her potential as a future Olympic contender, while Larti’s bronze reinforces the depth of Moroccan talent.
