India’s young boxing brigade continued its strong run at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, with another day of stellar performances in Manama.
The country’s next generation of pugilists displayed impressive control, power, and tactical maturity as Lamchemnba Moibungkhongbam, Raghav Udham Singh, and Anant Deshmukh registered comprehensive wins on Saturday, following equally dominant victories from Ahaana Sharma and Dhruv Kharb on Friday.
The performances at the Exhibition World Bahrain venue underlined India’s growing depth in youth boxing, with the contingent showing consistency across both boys’ and girls’ divisions. Competing against top Asian nations, India’s boxers have not only held their own but have outclassed several fancied opponents through skill and discipline. Manipur’s Lamchemnba Moibungkhongbam produced one of the standout performances of the day, defeating the Philippines’ Amaya with a 4–1 split verdict. The young boxer, known for his aggressive stance and lightning-fast combinations, dominated the first two rounds with superior ring control and cleaner punches.
Lamchemnba’s tactical maturity was evident as he adjusted seamlessly to his opponent’s counter-attacking style, landing decisive left hooks that caught the judges’ eye. The victory propelled him into the quarterfinals, where he continued his form, defeating Thailand’s Khamrae 4–1 to reach the semifinals. He is now set to face An (PRK) from North Korea in the next round on October 28 a bout expected to test both his composure and endurance.
His performance reaffirmed why Lamchemnba has been one of India’s brightest youth prospects, combining patience with precision to deliver another statement win for the national team.
In the 54kg men’s category, Raghav Udham Singh put up a clinical display to defeat Fakthongyu of Thailand with a unanimous 5–0 decision. The Haryana youngster’s control of distance and ability to switch rhythm left his opponent struggling for answers. Every round saw Udham dictating tempo with sharp jabs and uppercuts, keeping the Thai boxer pinned to the ropes. Although he fell narrowly short against Kitamura of Japan (1–3) in the quarterfinal, Udham’s earlier victories reflected his steady growth as part of India’s youth setup. With such performances, he has positioned himself among the country’s most consistent performers at this level, reinforcing the impact of India’s grassroots boxing programmes.
Anant Deshmukh Displays Power and Precision in 66kg
In the 66kg division, Anant Deshmukh delivered one of the cleanest wins of the day, outclassing Asrorov of Tajikistan with a dominant 5–0 verdict. His combination punching and body movement kept the bout entirely one-sided, forcing the referee to intervene at multiple stages.
Deshmukh then carried his momentum into the quarterfinals, where he faced Thailand’s Kaewboonraung and won by Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) a testament to his sheer control and punching accuracy. The Maharashtra-born boxer’s balance between aggression and composure has been one of the hallmarks of India’s performance at this Games, and his march into the semifinals has boosted the team’s medal hopes.
He will now face Kazakhstan’s Shalkarbay in the semifinals on October 28, a crucial test against a physically imposing opponent.
Ahaana Sharma Extends India’s Momentum in Women’s 50kg
Among the girls, Ahaana Sharma set the tone for India’s campaign on Friday with a dominant outing in the 50kg category. Taking on Amantaieva of Kyrgyzstan, Ahaana was relentless from the opening bell, landing a series of heavy combinations that forced the referee to stop the contest (RSC) in the second round. The Uttar Pradesh-born pugilist’s performance was marked by aggression and precision both traits honed under the supervision of national coach Jitender Raj Singh at the pre-Games camp in Patiala. Her ability to close out the contest early showed her evolution as a finisher, and she will now face Peldon (BHU) in the quarterfinals before a potential semifinal bout against Mardonova (UZB).
Ahaana’s victory reinforced India’s growing strength in the women’s divisions, especially in the light-weight categories that have traditionally been medal-rich for the nation.
Earlier in the tournament, Dhruv Kharb opened India’s campaign on a high note, defeating Bakytbekov Alinur of Kyrgyzstan 4–1 in the 46kg category. Dhruv’s win was built on relentless pace and intelligent movement, as he avoided counters and landed effective straight rights. Despite facing a taller opponent, Dhruv managed to control range with disciplined footwork and measured aggression. His victory provided India an early lift and set the tone for what has since been a strong collective showing across categories.
India’s 23-member boxing squad comprising 7 boys and 7 girls is competing across 14 weight categories at the Asian Youth Games. The contingent underwent an intensive four-week camp at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala, focusing on endurance, counter-attack drills, and controlled sparring. Head coaches Vinod Kumar (boys) and Jitender Raj Singh (girls) have emphasized a balanced approach combining offensive sharpness with defensive structure. The results so far reflect that preparation, with India maintaining an impressive winning percentage of over 70% in bouts contested through the first three days.
With India’s early momentum intact, the focus now shifts to maintaining rhythm through the semifinal rounds on October 28, where Lamchemnba, Anant, and Ahaana will all be in action. The semifinals will be crucial not only for medal contention but also for the athletes’ confidence ahead of next year’s AIBA Youth World Championships. The Manama performances have already validated the work put into India’s youth development structure from state-level feeder programs to national camps that now emphasize scientific conditioning and analytics-based match preparation.
As the competition enters its decisive phase, India’s young boxers carry both belief and expectation. The way Lamchemnba’s tactical composure, Ahaana’s aggression, and Anant’s power have come together symbolizes a new generation ready to uphold India’s rich boxing legacy on the continental stage.
India’s performance in Manama five wins in two days through Dhruv, Ahaana, Lamchemnba, Udham Singh, and Anant Deshmukh reflects both depth and dominance. With multiple semifinal spots secured and medal opportunities ahead, Team India’s youth boxing contingent has firmly established itself among the frontrunners of the 2025 Asian Youth Games.
