New Delhi, Nov 1 (NationPress) India’s young boxing stars, recently celebrated for their remarkable achievements at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, were honored in the capital on Saturday. This event recognized their exceptional performance in Manama, Bahrain.

The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, alongside former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, who served as the chief guest. They were joined by Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh and secretary general Pramod Kumar, who all celebrated these champions and their glorious accomplishments.

This stellar performance represents India’s best-ever results in youth boxing at the continental level, with the team clinching a total of seven medals—four gold, two silver, and one bronze—marking the highest medal tally achieved by any Indian sport at the Games. Among the champions were Khushi Chand (46kg), Ahaana Sharma (50kg), Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg), and Anshika (+80kg), all securing gold medals. Harnoor Kaur (66kg) and Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg) earned silver medals, while Anant Deshmukh (66kg) bagged a bronze, capping off an impressive campaign for the Indian contingent.

Minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated the young pugilists during the ceremony, stating that their accomplishments reflect India’s growing strength in international sports. He expressed, “It’s a great joy to witness the champions of the Youth Asian Boxing Championships. Boxing in Asia is among the toughest globally, and winning medals here is as challenging and prestigious as at the world level. India is steadily enhancing its sporting prowess, but our journey is far from over.”

“I have always been inspired by India’s Olympic performances, which motivate me to work harder for the advancement of sports in our country. Ensuring the socio-economic security of our athletes is a shared responsibility so they can focus solely on achieving excellence. I extend my gratitude to BFI President Ajay Singh for his exemplary support and leadership. Under his guidance, boxing in India has grown significantly, evidenced by these results. Government initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India are crucial in strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem. However, we still have a long way to go, and we remain fully committed to creating an environment where every athlete can realize their potential and bring glory to our nation.”

India emerged as the leader in women’s boxing with four gold medals, highlighting the nation’s increasing dominance in the sport, a momentum that is spreading across all age groups, from youth to elite levels.

BFI president Ajay Singh expressed his pride in the federation’s structured approach and the athletes’ soaring performance trajectory, stating, “It’s a significant achievement that India has reached its best-ever performance, winning seven medals, including five golds—four by our women and one by our men. Out of the total 13 gold medals awarded in the tournament, five belong to India, making it an outstanding accomplishment.”

“Our women’s team finishing No. 1 in Asia illustrates the growing strength of Indian boxing. These young athletes are the future champions and Olympic hopefuls of our nation. We will ensure they receive the best training, facilities, and support to bring Olympic glory to India. Hearing the national anthem on the international stage is unparalleled; experiencing it five times was truly special. With our elite setup in Patiala nurturing young talent, we are confident of another historic performance at the Youth Olympics next year.