How Are India’s Youth Boxers Shining Bright at the Asian Youth Games?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India boasts six finalists in the boxing event.
- One bronze medal has been secured by Anant Deshmukh.
- Five female and one male boxer have reached the finals.
- Intensive training has paid off for the Indian contingent.
- The finals are scheduled for October 30.
Manama, Oct 28 (NationPress) India’s youthful boxers have made a remarkable impression at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 taking place in Manama, Bahrain. Six athletes, comprising five females and one male, have swiftly advanced to the finals. Additionally, a bronze medal has been secured thanks to Anant Deshmukh's impressive semifinal performance in the men’s category.
In the girls' semifinals, Khushi Chand (46kg) initiated India’s triumphant journey with a resounding 5:0 win against Mongolia. This was soon followed by Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg), who decisively defeated her opponent from Kazakhstan with another 5:0 score. Harnoor Kaur (66kg) showcased her tactical prowess and counterattacking abilities to overcome the challenge from Chinese Taipei (5:0), while Anshika (+80kg) also achieved a clean sweep against China.
In the second session, Ahaana (50kg) demonstrated her resilience by narrowly defeating a formidable contender from Uzbekistan with a 3:2 score, culminating India’s flawless performance in the girls' semifinals.
On the boys' side, Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg) maintained his exceptional form by winning 5:0 against the People's Republic of Korea, securing his place in the finals. Meanwhile, Anant Deshmukh (66kg) put forth a valiant effort against a strong Kazakh opponent but ultimately secured a bronze medal after a challenging semifinal bout.
With six finalists and one bronze medal, India has marked one of its most successful youth boxing campaigns at the continental level. The Indian team, which underwent rigorous training at NS NIS Patiala under the guidance of national coaches Vinod Kumar (head coach for boys) and Jitender Raj Singh (head coach for girls), is now focused on converting this momentum into gold medals as the tournament wraps up on October 30.
Earlier, Team India’s young pugilists continued their impressive streak at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, adding four more victories to their record. Lamchemnba, Udham Singh, and Anant Deshmukh achieved commanding wins, following strong performances by Ahaana and Dhruv at the Exhibition World Bahrain.
Leading the charge on Saturday, Lamchemnba showcased sharp reflexes and solid control to defeat his opponent from the Philippines 4–1, marking yet another confident display for India. Udham Singh followed suit with a flawless performance against Thailand, winning decisively with a 5–0 score, while Anant Deshmukh dominated his bout against Tajikistan with another unanimous 5–0 victory, highlighting India’s technical strength and superior preparation.