India's 18-member squad eyes medals at World U-19 Boxing Championships in Montenegro
Synopsis
India's 18-member junior boxing squad has flown to Budva, Montenegro, for the World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026 with a clear mandate: improve on the four golds that earned India second place two years ago. The squad is stacked with Asian U-19 medallists, and BFI President Ajay Singh has publicly backed them to medal in most weight categories — raising the stakes ahead of the tournament.
Key Takeaways
An 18-member Indian boxing contingent departed for Budva, Montenegro on 14 October 2026 for the World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026 .
India finished second at the inaugural edition in Pueblo, Colorado , with 4 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals (17 total), behind England.
The squad is drawn from Asian U-19 gold and silver medallists from Jakarta and national selection trial winners.
Prachi (57kg) leads the women's contingent as Asian U-19 gold medallist; Aditya (55kg) and Dhruv (90kg) anchor the men's squad.
BFI President Ajay Singh has expressed confidence in winning medals across most weight categories and surpassing the previous gold tally.
An 18-member Indian boxing contingent departed for Budva, Montenegro, on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, aiming to win medals across all their weight categories at the World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026 — the second edition of the tournament — and cement India's standing among the sport's elite nations at the junior level.
India's World Championships Pedigree
India's ambitions are grounded in a strong showing at the inaugural edition of the tournament, held in Pueblo, Colorado, United States, two years ago. The contingent returned with four gold, eight silver, and five bronze medals — a total of 17 medals — finishing second on the table, behind only England. Improving on that gold medal tally is now the primary target for the squad heading to Montenegro.
How the Squad Was Assembled
The current 18-member squad has been drawn from the top performers at the Asian U-19 Boxing Championships, held in Jakarta earlier this year, as well as winners of national selection trials conducted across other weight categories. India had claimed two gold, eight silver, and four bronze medals at the Jakarta meet, giving a sizeable core of the squad competitive international exposure at the continental level ahead of the global stage.
Key Names to Watch
In the women's category, Asian U-19 gold medallist Prachi (57kg) spearheads the charge alongside silver medallists Joyshree Devi Chirom (54kg), Chahat (60kg), Anshika (75kg), Megha Sheokand (80kg), and Prachi Tokas (80+kg). Also in contention are Himanshi (48kg), Harshika (65kg), and Lakshu (70kg).
The men's squad is anchored by Asian U-19 silver medallists Aditya (55kg) and Dhruv (90kg), along with the experienced Mausam Suhag (65kg). Completing the men's contingent are Aman Dev (50kg), Shivam (60kg), Prashant (70kg), Lokesh (80kg), Tridev (85kg), and Krish (90+kg).
What the Federation President Said
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh expressed confidence ahead of the team's departure. 'We have a very strong contingent going to Montenegro and almost every player in the squad has been performing exceptionally well throughout the year. I am confident that we can win a medal in most weight categories and hopefully improve our gold medal count from two years ago,' Singh said while wishing the team luck.
Why This Tournament Matters
The World U-19 Boxing Championships serve as a critical proving ground for the next generation of Indian boxing. Past junior world champions have gone on to represent India at the senior level and at the Olympic Games, making the tournament a key talent pipeline event. With India's boxing programme having produced senior world champions and Olympic medallists in recent years, strong performance at this level is seen as essential to sustaining that generational continuity. All eyes will now be on the results from Budva as the competition gets underway.
Point of View
But the benchmark has now shifted — the federation is explicitly targeting more golds, not just a podium. The squad's composition, built around proven Asian medallists rather than trial-only selections, reflects a more structured talent pipeline than India has historically maintained at junior level. The real test is whether this depth translates under World Championships pressure, where the competition field is significantly broader than the Asian circuit. If the results match the confidence, it would further validate the BFI's centralised preparation model for junior boxers.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026 being held?
The World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026 are being held in Budva, Montenegro. It is the second edition of the tournament; the first was staged in Pueblo, Colorado, United States, two years ago.
How did India perform at the inaugural World U-19 Boxing Championships?
India finished second overall at the inaugural edition in Pueblo, Colorado, winning four gold, eight silver, and five bronze medals for a total of 17 medals. England topped the medal table at that championship.
Who are the key boxers in India's squad for Montenegro?
In the women's category, Asian U-19 gold medallist Prachi (57kg) is the standout name, supported by multiple Asian silver medallists. In the men's category, Aditya (55kg) and Dhruv (90kg) — both Asian U-19 silver medallists — and the experienced Mausam Suhag (65kg) are key figures.
How was the Indian squad selected for the World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026?
The squad was assembled from gold and silver medallists at the Asian U-19 Boxing Championships held in Jakarta earlier in 2026, complemented by winners of national selection trials in weight categories not covered by the Asian Championships results.
What has the Boxing Federation of India said about the team's prospects?
BFI President Ajay Singh expressed strong confidence before the team's departure, stating he was confident India could win a medal in most weight categories and improve on the gold medal count from the previous World Championships two years ago.
