Five girls and one boy storm into the gold medal bouts, marking India’s most successful youth boxing campaign at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain
Indian boxing’s next generation delivered a statement performance at the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, as six young pugilists five girls and one boy stormed into the finals, while Anant Deshmukh secured a bronze medal, ensuring India’s best-ever finish at the continental youth event. With six finalists confirmed, India has already surpassed its previous records, underlining the growing strength and depth of its youth boxing program.
India’s female boxers were in imperious form, producing a series of commanding displays in the semifinals. Khushi Chand (46kg) opened proceedings with a clinical 5:0 win over Mongolia, setting the tone for what would become a dominant day for the Indian contingent. Her aggressive stance and clean combinations left her opponent with few answers. Following her lead, Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg) outclassed her Kazakh rival in similar fashion, registering another 5:0 unanimous decision. Pujari’s measured approach and sharp counterpunches highlighted her maturity beyond her years.
In the 66kg division, Harnoor Kaur produced a tactical masterclass to beat Chinese Taipei 5:0, using her footwork and ring control to dictate the pace from the first bell to the last. The winning momentum continued as Anshika (+80kg) powered through her Chinese opponent, dominating the contest from start to finish in yet another 5:0 sweep, underlining India’s dominance in the upper weight categories.
Rounding off the girls’ semifinal sweep was Ahaana (50kg), who faced a fierce challenge from Uzbekistan. In a tightly contested bout, Ahaana dug deep to prevail 3:2, showing tremendous heart and defensive discipline to book her spot in the gold medal match. Five Indian girls in the finals reflects not only the diversity of India’s emerging boxing talent but also the steady progress of the women’s program at the youth level.
Among the boys, Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg) continued his excellent run with another 5:0 unanimous victory, this time over the boxer from the People’s Republic of Korea. His mix of controlled aggression and accuracy ensured a smooth passage into the final. However, Anant Deshmukh (66kg), who had impressed throughout the earlier rounds, fell just short in his semifinal bout against Kazakhstan. Despite a valiant performance marked by spirited exchanges and sharp defensive work, Deshmukh was edged out, finishing with a well-earned bronze medal — India’s first confirmed podium finish at the Games.
A Record-Breaking Campaign
With six boxers in the finals and one bronze already secured, India has achieved its best-ever showing in youth boxing at the Asian Youth Games. This success builds on the momentum from recent international performances by India’s junior and sub-junior teams, signaling the sustained rise of the country’s boxing ecosystem. The young contingent trained extensively at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, under the guidance of head coaches Vinod Kumar (boys) and Jitender Raj Singh (girls). The high-performance camp focused on refining tactical awareness, endurance, and defensive transitions key attributes that have translated into consistent results across categories in Bahrain.
“Our young boxers have shown tremendous courage, skill, and composure on the international stage,” said Head Coach Jitender Raj Singh. “This performance reflects the depth of talent and the quality of preparation our youth program now offers. The finals will be a true test of character, but the team is ready.”
Rising Force in Asian Youth Boxing
India’s performance in Bahrain reflects the country’s growing stature in Asian boxing, particularly at the grassroots and developmental levels. Over the past two years, India has made steady progress in youth competitions both in terms of medal count and technical refinement thanks to improved coaching infrastructure and exposure to international tournaments. The Asian Youth Games 2025 have brought together some of the continent’s best emerging talents from over 20 nations. For India to feature in six of the finals is a landmark achievement, underscoring its ability to compete with traditionally strong nations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and China.
As the finals approach on October 30, all eyes will be on India’s young stars as they aim to convert their semifinal dominance into gold. The boxers Khushi, Chandrika, Ahaana, Harnoor, Anshika, and Lanchenba will step into the ring carrying not only their own ambitions but also the aspirations of an entire generation of Indian boxing hopefuls.
Regardless of the final tally, this campaign already stands as a turning point for Indian youth boxing one that showcases the nation’s readiness to challenge Asia’s best and build a formidable foundation for the future.
Results Summary:
- Finalists (6):
- Khushi Chand (46kg)
- Ahaana (50kg)
- Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg)
- Harnoor Kaur (66kg)
- Anshika (+80kg)
- Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg)
- Bronze Medal:
- Anant Deshmukh (66kg)
With six gold medal bouts to look forward to, the Indian camp in Manama stands on the verge of history. The next generation of Indian boxers has arrived fearless, focused, and ready to make the tricolor shine on the Asian stage.
