Payal, Nisha and Akansha strike gold as India win 17 medals at Junior World Boxing Championships

NEW DELHI: Rising star boxers Payal, Nisha, and Akansha showcased their dominance at the 2023 IBA Junior World Boxing Championships in Yerevan, Armenia, contributing to India's impressive tally of 17 medals.

Payal secured India's first gold in the girls' 48kg category, defeating local favorite Petrosyan Heghine of Armenia unanimously.

Asian youth champions Nisha (52kg) and Akansha (70kg) continued their stellar performances, clinching gold medals with convincing 5-0 victories over Abdullaoeva Farinoz of Tajikistan and Taimazova Elizaveta of Russia, respectively.


Despite valiant efforts, Vini (57kg), Shrushti (63kg), and Megha (80kg) settled for silver medals in the girls' section after their defeats in the gold medal matches.

In the boys' category, Sahil (75kg) and Hemant (80+kg) secured silver medals, facing 0-5 defeats in their respective finals. Jatin (54kg) displayed a strong fight against Tulebek Nurassyl of Kazakhstan but ultimately lost 1-4 in a thrilling match.

India emerged as the dominant force in the competition, with the 26-member squad accumulating a remarkable 17 medals, including three gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals.

Notably, 12 Indian boxers qualified for the finals, surpassing any other country in this edition of the championships. The girls' gold medal tally of three equaled the second-best performance, tied with Kazakhstan, and just behind Russia, which secured four gold medals.

India’s Medallists:Girls:(Gold) Payal (48kg), Nisha (52kg) and Akansha (70kg);(Silver) Amisha (54kg), Vini (57kg), Shrushti Sathe (63kg) Megha (80kg), Prachi Tokas (80+kg);(Bronze) Neha Lunthi (46kg), Pari (50kg), Nidhi Dhull (66kg) and Kritika (75kg)Boys:(Silver) Jatin (54kg), Sahil (75kg), Hardik Panwar (80kg) Hemant Sangwan (80+kg);(Bronze) Sikandar (48kg)