Junior World Boxing Championships: Payal, Nisha, Akanka win gold, India finishes with 17 medals

Young boxers Payal, Nisha and Akansha put in a brilliant performance to claim the title at the 2023 IBA Junior World Boxing Championship in Yerevan, Armenia as India ended the event with an impressive 17 medals.

Payal defeated local favorite Petrosian Heghain of Armenia by unanimous decision in the women’s 48kg final to give India its first gold medal in the prestigious tournament.

Subsequently, Asian youth champions Nisha and Akansha lived up to expectations and continued their dream of winning the gold medal in style. Nisha (52kg) and Akansha (70kg) defeated Abdullaova Farinos of Tajikistan and Temazova Iliza of Russia by scores of 5-0 respectively.

Meanwhile, three other girls who competed on the final day – Vini (57 kg), Shruti (63 kg) and Megha (80 kg) – won gold medals after losing their gold medal matches.

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In the men’s category, Sahil (75kg) and Hemant (80kg+) added silver medals to the Indian team after trailing 0-5 in their respective finals. Jatin (54kg) also had a tough contest with Kazakhstan’s Turbek Nurasil and eventually lost 1-4, which was thrilling.

The 26-member Indian team was the dominant force at the prestigious event, bagging 17 medals including 3 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze. Overall, 12 Indians made it to the finals, more than any other nation in the tournament.

The women’s boxers won three gold medals, with Kazakhstan tied for second, behind only Russia’s four golds.