India’s youth boxing contingent continued its impressive campaign at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok, with Chandrika, Gunjan, Joyshree Devi and Ambekar Meetei advancing to their respective finals after strong semifinal performances on Saturday.
The quartet will now compete for gold medals in the tournament’s concluding bouts, underlining India’s growing strength in youth boxing on the international stage. With four finalists and an additional bronze already secured, the Indian team has once again demonstrated the depth of its emerging boxing talent.
The tournament, running from March 8 to March 15 in Bangkok, features some of the most promising young boxers from around the world competing in Youth Olympic weight categories, offering a crucial platform for development and international exposure.
Chandrika Dominates in 51kg Semifinal
In the women’s 51kg category, Chandrika delivered one of the standout performances of the day.
Facing Rihab Hamdoune of Morocco, the Indian boxer displayed superior control and aggression throughout the bout. Chandrika’s consistent pressure and sharp combinations forced the referee to intervene in the second round, resulting in a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) victory.
The decisive win secured Chandrika’s place in the final and confirmed her as one of India’s strongest medal prospects in the competition. Her ability to dictate the pace of the bout and maintain composure under pressure has been a key factor in her successful run to the gold medal bout.
Another impressive performance came from Gunjan in the women’s 48kg category.
Gunjan faced a challenging opponent in North Korea’s Yu Gyong Kim, but the Indian boxer remained composed and technically sharp throughout the contest. Delivering a disciplined and tactically sound performance, Gunjan controlled the exchanges and landed effective scoring punches across all three rounds. The judges unanimously awarded her the bout with a 5–0 decision, reflecting the clear dominance she displayed in the ring.
The victory sends Gunjan into the final with confidence as she looks to convert her strong tournament run into a gold medal.
Joyshree Continues Dominant Run
Perhaps the most emphatic win among the Indian contingent came from Joyshree Devi in the women’s 54kg category. Joyshree faced Mexico’s Sofia Ramirez in the semifinal and wasted little time in asserting her superiority. Demonstrating aggressive attacking intent from the opening bell, she quickly overwhelmed her opponent with a flurry of accurate punches.
The referee halted the contest in the first round, awarding Joyshree a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) victory. The commanding performance highlighted Joyshree’s power and confidence, making her one of India’s strongest contenders for gold heading into the final.
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India also secured a place in the final in the men’s 50kg category, thanks to an impressive display from Ambekar Meetei. Ambekar faced Uzbekistan’s Abdugani Yorkinjonov, a technically skilled opponent. However, the Indian boxer maintained excellent control throughout the bout.
Using a combination of precise footwork and well-timed punches, Ambekar consistently outscored his opponent across all rounds.
The judges awarded him a 5–0 unanimous decision victory, confirming his place in the final and keeping India’s hopes alive for another gold medal.
While four Indian boxers advanced to the finals, Radhamani Longjam narrowly missed out on a place in the gold medal bout. Competing in the women’s 57kg category, Radhamani faced Ukraine’s Yevanhelina Petruk in a closely contested semifinal. The bout remained evenly balanced throughout, with both boxers exchanging effective combinations and demonstrating strong defensive awareness.
Ultimately, the judges awarded the bout to Petruk by a 3–2 split decision, ending Radhamani’s campaign at the semifinal stage. Despite the narrow defeat, Radhamani secured a bronze medal for India, contributing to the team’s overall medal tally.
India Eyes Gold in Finals
With four finalists and one bronze medal already secured, India has delivered a strong performance at the World Boxing Futures Cup. The tournament serves as an important stepping stone for young athletes aiming to transition into senior international competition. Events like these provide valuable exposure against diverse international opponents and help athletes gain crucial experience on the global stage.
As the competition heads into its final day, Chandrika, Gunjan, Joyshree Devi and Ambekar Meetei will now aim to convert their impressive semifinal victories into gold medals.
For the Indian boxing contingent, the finals represent not just an opportunity to add to the medal tally, but also a chance to reinforce India’s growing reputation as a rising powerhouse in youth boxing.
