India’s young boxers continued to light up the ring at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain, extending their winning streak with a series of commanding performances across multiple weight categories.
The Indian contingent registered five impressive victories over the last two days, underlining the nation’s growing dominance in youth boxing. On Saturday, Lamchenmba Moibungkhongbam, Raghav Udham Singh, and Anant Deshmukh delivered strong statements with decisive wins at the Exhibition World Bahrain, while Ahaana Sharma and Dhruv Kharb had already set the tone a day earlier with equally assured performances in their opening bouts.
In the 50kg boys’ category, Lamchenmba Moibungkhongbam from Manipur was clinical in his approach, defeating Amaya from the Philippines with a 4–1 split decision. The 16-year-old southpaw displayed excellent ring awareness and clean counter-punching, dictating the rhythm from the first bell. His ability to control distance and neutralize his opponent’s aggression ensured a comfortable passage into the quarterfinals, where he will next face Khamrae of Thailand on October 27.
Udham Singh’s Dominance
Competing in the 54kg category, Raghav Udham Singh continued India’s momentum with a commanding 5–0 victory over Fakthongyu of Thailand. The Haryana teenager was relentless, landing precise combinations and maintaining upper-body movement to frustrate his opponent. Udham’s technical sharpness and balanced footwork stood out as he cruised through all three rounds, earning unanimous approval from all five judges.
He will now face Kitamura of Japan in the quarterfinals a matchup that promises to test his patience and tactical adaptability.
In the 66kg division, Maharashtra’s Anant Deshmukh produced another dominant performance, overpowering Asrorov of Tajikistan with a clean 5–0 win. Mixing aggression with precision, Deshmukh used his longer reach effectively, landing crisp jabs and timely uppercuts that left his opponent with few answers. Anant’s discipline and ring composure were evident throughout, particularly in how he managed his pace across rounds. He now advances to the quarterfinal stage, where he will square off against Kaewboonruang of Thailand on October 27.
Ahaana Leads the Charge in the Girls’ Draw
India’s winning momentum wasn’t limited to the boys’ division. In the girls’ 50kg category, Ahaana Sharma delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament so far, defeating Amantaieva of Kyrgyzstan with a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in the second round. The referee’s intervention came after a flurry of precise body and head shots that left the Kyrgyz boxer unable to defend herself effectively. Ahaana’s composure and sharp combinations highlighted her ring maturity, and she will now face Peldon of Bhutan in the quarterfinals on October 26.
Earlier in the 46kg category, Dhruv Kharb showed grit and technical awareness to overcome Bakytbekov Alinur of Kyrgyzstan with a 4–1 split decision. The youngster displayed patience against an aggressive opponent, using timely counters and defensive adjustments to turn the fight in his favour. Dhruv’s win was India’s first in the boys’ section and provided the perfect start to the team’s campaign. He now advances to the quarterfinals, where he will face Myrsabit of Kazakhstan on October 26.
India’s Young Brigade Impresses in Bahrain
The string of victories underlines India’s impressive preparation and adaptability across divisions. The national youth team, featuring 23 boxers (14 boys and 9 girls), has entered the Asian Youth Games with high expectations following a rigorous preparatory camp at NIS Patiala, under the supervision of national coaches Vinod Kumar and Jitender Raj Singh. The Indian squad’s all-round performances from Dhruv’s tactical discipline to Ahaana’s aggressive precision demonstrate the success of India’s structured youth development programs.
The consistency across both genders also reflects the strength of India’s grassroots system, which has been producing promising boxers in nearly every weight class.
Speaking after the bouts, head coach Vinod Kumar praised the team’s calmness under pressure. “The focus was on clean boxing and technical control, and I’m happy to see our athletes executing that perfectly. These early rounds are crucial for building rhythm, and the boxers have handled it well,” he said. Assistant coach Jitender Raj Singh added, “Our boxers have shown great ring IQ. The idea is to stay disciplined through every round. Each victory gives us more confidence heading into the tougher stages.”
With five boxers already through to the quarterfinals, India’s campaign remains firmly on track. Sunday’s fixtures will see Khushi Chand, Chandrika Pujari, Harsika, and Shivani Toor also in action, as the Indian contingent looks to extend its unbeaten run. The boxing competition will continue until October 30, with semifinals scheduled midweek and medal bouts set for the closing weekend.
If India’s early dominance is any indication, the 2025 Asian Youth Games could mark another milestone in the nation’s boxing journey one driven by youth, skill, and an unwavering hunger for continental glory.
