23 Indian boxers ready to pack a punch at Asian Youth Games

A 23-member Indian boxing contingent has left for Manama, Bahrain, to participate in the third Asian Youth Games, scheduled to begin on October 23.

The squad features standout names including Dhruv Kharb, Udham Singh Raghav, Khushi Chand, Ahaana Sharma, and Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari, all national gold medallists who have played a key role in India’s recent success in youth boxing. In addition, the team includes boxers who impressed at the Asian U-17 Championships in July 2025, where India secured 43 medals and finished second overall.

Selection for the team was based on performances at the sixth U-17 Junior Boys and Girls National Boxing Championships held earlier this year. Gold medallists earned direct inclusion, while silver medallists were named as reserves. The Indian contingent will compete across 14 weight categories, seven each for boys and girls, in the U-17 age group.

Speaking about the team, Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh said, “Our young boxers have shown tremendous progress over the past few months, proving that they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in Asia.”

Ahead of the Games, the boxers completed a high-intensity training camp in Patiala from September 23 to October 20, focusing on technical, tactical, and physical conditioning. The camp was led by Head Coaches Vinod Kumar (Boys U-17) and Jitender Raj Singh (Girls U-17), ensuring the athletes were fully prepared for international competition.

The boxing event at the Asian Youth Games will follow a single-elimination format with three-round bouts, offering India’s young pugilists an opportunity to showcase their talent on a continental stage and strengthen the country’s reputation in youth boxing.