Beach wrestlers shine with triple gold

India’s young athletes continued their stellar run at the Youth Asian Games, adding six gold and three silver medals on Thursday through dominant performances in boxing and beach wrestling. The impressive haul lifted India’s overall tally to 41 medals 12 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze marking one of their best multi-sport showings in recent years.

In the boxing ring, Indian pugilists displayed remarkable control, power and composure. Khushi Chand (46kg) opened India’s golden charge with a 4-1 win over China’s Luo Jinxiu, using sharp counterattacks and clever footwork to secure a confident victory. Ahaana Sharma (50kg) made an emphatic statement in her final, forcing a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) in the very first round against North Korea’s Ma Jong Hyang.

The golden streak continued as Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg) outclassed Uzbekistan’s Muhammadova Kumriniso with a clean 5-0 win, completing a memorable hat-trick for India’s women boxers. Meanwhile, Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg) put up a valiant fight but had to settle for silver after a close defeat to Kazakhstan’s Nurmakhan Zhumagali in the boys’ final.

India’s medal count in boxing could climb even higher, with Harnoor Kaur (66kg) and Anshika (+80kg) still to fight for gold in the evening session.

The country’s beach wrestlers matched the boxers punch for punch, adding three gold and two silver medals to the tally. Sani Subhash Fulmali (boys’ 60kg), Anjali (girls’ 55kg) and Arjun Ruhil (boys’ 90kg) clinched gold medals with strong, tactical displays on the sand. Fulmali defeated Iran’s Amirali Domirkolaei 2-0, Anjali edged Vietnam’s Bui Ngoc Thao Thom 2-1, and Ruhil powered past Iran’s Mohammadmahdi Fotouhi in a commanding finish.

Sujay Nagnath Tanpure (70kg) and Ravinder (80kg) both fought hard but ended with silver medals after narrow 1-2 losses to Iranian opponents Sina Shokouhi and Touraj Khodaei respectively.

With India’s young stars excelling across disciplines, the nation’s contingent remains upbeat as more finals await, keeping hopes alive for a record-breaking medal haul at the Bahrain Games.