India, Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Indian boxers Payal, Nisha and Akansha won gold medals in the girls' 48kg, 52kg and 70kg categories, respectively, at the IBA Junior World Boxing Championships in Yerevan, Armenia on Tuesday. With their victories, the Indian team finished their campaign with a remarkable 17 medals, including three gold, nine silver and five bronze medals.
Payal handed India its first gold medal at the championships when she outclassed local favourite Petrosyan Heghine of Armenia by unanimous decision in the girls 48kg final. Later, Asian youth champions Nisha and Akansha lived up to the expectations as they extended their dream runs to clinch gold medals in style. Nisha defeated Abdullaoeva Farinoz of Tajikistan by 5-0 in the girls 52kg final, while Akansha outboxed Taimazova Elizaveta of Russia by the same scoreline in the girls 70kg final.
India was the dominant force in the prestigious competition as the 26-member squad secured 17 medals, more than any other country. The girls boxers' gold medal tally of three was the joint second best with Kazakhstan, only behind Russia's 4 gold medals.
The Indian team's performance at the IBA Junior World Boxing Championships is a testament to the growing strength of Indian boxing. The young boxers have shown great potential and promise, and they are sure to bring more laurels for the country in the future.
