Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 30: A 56-member Indian contingent is set to kick off its campaign at the Asian Boxing U15 & U17 Championships 2026, beginning Friday in Tashkent.

India enters the tournament with a balanced and competitive squad across both boys’ and girls’ categories, underlining its growing emphasis on grassroots development and nurturing young boxing talent.

In the U-17 category, India has fielded 13 boxers each in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, competing across weight classes ranging from 44–46kg to over 80kg. Each squad is supported by four coaches and a physiotherapist. Meanwhile, the U-15 teams consist of 15 boxers each in both boys’ and girls’ divisions, competing in weight categories from 30–33kg to over 70kg, with five coaches and a physiotherapist accompanying each team.

Ajay Singh, president of the Boxing Federation of India, said the tournament offers a crucial opportunity for young athletes to gain international exposure and compete against top talent from across Asia. He highlighted that boxing has emerged as one of India’s most successful sports in recent years, consistently delivering strong medal performances at major international events, including multi-sport competitions and continental championships.

The championships are seen as a key stepping stone for identifying and grooming future stars, with many participants expected to progress to higher levels and represent India on the global stage.

India heads into the competition with confidence after a strong showing in the previous edition held in Amman, where the country secured 43 medals, including 15 gold, 6 silver, and 22 bronze, finishing second overall behind Kazakhstan.