It was a day of dominance for Indian boxing in Bangkok as ten Indian boxers, including seven women, booked their spots in the finals of the U19 Asian Boxing Championships 2025 with commanding performances in the semi-finals.
The tournament, being held alongside the U22 Asian Boxing Championships, has further underlined India’s growing strength in the amateur boxing scene.
The U19 squad now stands just one step away from clinching gold, with women’s pugilists Nisha (54kg), Muskan (57kg), Vini (60kg), Nisha (65kg), Aarti Kumari (75kg), Parchi Tokas (80+kg), along with men’s Mausam Suhag (65kg), Rahul Kundu (75kg), and Hemant Sangwan (90kg) making the final cut. In addition, Kritika (80kg) earned a direct entry into the final, taking India’s tally to ten finalists.
India entered the tournament with a 40-member contingent 20 each in the U19 and U22 categories blending proven champions with emerging talent from the domestic circuit. This strategy has paid off, with the U19 team showing both technical skill and mental toughness against some of Asia’s most competitive boxers.
In the U22 category, India is already assured of 13 medals, with five fighters set to challenge for gold.
Women Lead the Charge
The day’s action began with Nisha (54kg) setting the tone by dominating Japan’s Himari Watanabe for a clean 5:0 unanimous decision. Her quick combinations and control of distance left little room for her opponent to mount any response. In the 57kg division, Muskan overcame a tricky start against China’s Jiaen Wang, turning the fight around with an aggressive third round to claim a 4:1 split decision.
Vini (60kg) was equally impressive, overpowering China’s Ruixue Li with a blend of sharp jabs and counterpunches. Meanwhile, Nisha (65kg) scored a strong win over Ziyue Bao of China, capitalising on her reach advantage to dictate the bout. One of the most commanding wins came from Aarti Kumari (75kg), who overwhelmed Vietnam’s Thanh Tuyen Tran. Her relentless flurry of punches forced the referee to stop the contest in the second round a statement victory that cements her status as a gold medal favourite.
The women’s team’s final finalist of the day, Parchi Tokas (80+kg), was made to work hard against Kazakhstan’s Zhaksylyk Sanina but held her nerve in a close contest, winning 3:2 on the judges’ scorecards.
Men Match the Intensity
The evening session saw the Indian men’s U19 boxers carry the momentum forward. Mausam Suhag (65kg) delivered a commanding performance against Akshan Hashemi of Iran, securing a 5:0 win with clean, precise punching and superior ring movement.
Rahul Kundu (75kg) continued the trend, dominating Shildebay Nursultan of Kazakhstan for another 5:0 verdict, showcasing excellent defensive awareness and countering ability. Capping off the day, Hemant Sangwan (90kg) produced a composed display against China’s Qirui He, again sealing a unanimous 5:0 win to take his place in the finals.
Bronze Medalists
While ten Indians progressed to the finals, four others concluded their campaigns with bronze medals:
- Yashika (Women’s 51kg)
- Akanksha Phalaswal (Women’s 70kg)
- Shivam (Men’s 55kg)
- Gaurav (Men’s 85kg)
Their performances ensured India’s medal tally remained robust, reflecting the team’s overall depth. With ten finalists in the U19 division and thirteen medals confirmed in the U22 category, Indian boxing is poised for a big medal haul from Bangkok. The finals will test the boxers against Asia’s elite, with Kazakhstan, China, and Japan all fielding strong contenders.
The performances in Bangkok reinforce India’s emergence as a powerhouse in youth boxing. The fighters have not only shown skill but also tactical adaptability, ring intelligence, and composure under pressure qualities that bode well for the transition to senior-level competition in the future.
For now, all eyes will be on the gold medal bouts, where India’s young stars have the chance to turn an already successful campaign into a historic one.
