Chandrika Pujari, Joyshree Devi Power India to Winning Start at U-19 Asian Boxing Championships

India began its U-19 Asian Boxing Championships campaign strongly on July 5, 2026, in Jakarta, Indonesia. World Boxing Futures Cup gold medallist Chandrika Pujari and silver medallist Joyshree Devi both won their opening bouts on day one, giving India a positive start in the preliminary rounds.

Chandrika beat Mongolia’s Lakham Tsendbaatar by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the girls’ 51kg category. Joyshree then delivered a clear win in the girls’ 54kg division, as the referee stopped her contest in the second round against Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ning Hong. Both moved into the next round.

India fields 40 boxers across two age groups

The Boxing Federation of India has entered 20 boxers each in the U-19 and U-23 categories. The event gives India’s young boxers a chance to face Asia’s top talent, while the team aims to continue its recent success and maintain its standing on the continental stage.

India’s campaign continues on Monday with four U-23 men set for action. Asian champion Vishwanath Suresh will open against Uzbekistan’s Amirbek Ismoilov in the 50kg class, followed by Ganga against Mongolia’s Amgalanbaatar Bulgankhuu in 55kg, Sagar Jakhar against Japan’s Koichi Nakayama in 60kg, and Hitesh against Chinese Taipei’s Jun-Zhanglin in 70kg.