Manama, Oct 30 (IANS) India’s young boxing contingent achieved a historic milestone at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain, finishing with an impressive three gold, one silver and one bronze medal, marking the nation’s best-ever performance in youth boxing at the continental level.

In a golden morning session, Khushi Chand (46kg) opened India’s tally with a confident 4:1 victory over China’s Luo Jinxiu, showcasing superior ring control and precision. Ahaana Sharma (50kg) followed with a statement win, forcing a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in Round 1 against Ma Jong Hyang of the People’s Republic of Korea. Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg) then completed India’s golden hat-trick, dominating Uzbekistan’s Muhammadova Kumriniso in a commanding 5:0 decision.

The medal count could rise even higher as Harnoor Kaur (66kg) and Anshika (+80kg) are set to compete in their respective finals in the evening session, with India eyeing a potential record haul of gold medals.

In the boys’ final, Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg) displayed tremendous skill and heart but narrowly missed gold, settling for silver after a tough bout against Kazakhstan’s Nurmakhan Zhumagali. Earlier, Anant Deshmukh (66kg) had secured bronze, rounding off a stellar campaign for the Indian contingent.

With five medals, including three golds, India’s youth boxers have firmly stamped their authority on the Asian stage. The success reflects the effectiveness of the national youth boxing program and the rigorous training camp held at NS NIS Patiala under the guidance of head coaches Vinod Kumar (boys) and Jitender Raj Singh (girls).

This remarkable performance not only reinforces India’s growing dominance in Asian boxing but also signals a promising new generation ready to shine on the global stage.

–IANS

ab/