This past weekend, India created multiple records at AIBA World Women’s Youth Boxing Championships, with women grabbing five top positions to finish overall champions, for the first time. Held in Guwahati between 19-26 November, it was India’s first time as hosts of this prestigious event, previously hosted by Taiwan (2015), Bulgaria (2013) and Turkey (2011). 
Nitu (48kg), Jyoti Gulia (51kg), Sakshi Choudhury (54kg), Shashi Chopra (57kg) and Ankushita Boro (64kg) won gold medals for an Indian sweep in the finals. Additionally, Neha Yadav (+81kg) and Anupama (81kg) won bronze medals, making it India’s best ever performance at the marquee age group event. As icing on the cake, Jyoti also qualified for next year’s Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. Ankushita was adjudged the boxer of the tournament.
In the previous editions, India had won just one bronze medal, and had not won a gold since 2011 when Sarjubala Devi secured it.
“You are seeing the probable Olympic medallists for India at the Tokyo Olympics here. It has been a fantastic performance and Guwahati has been a fabulous host,” Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh was quoted as saying. He announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each for all the gold-medallists.
It has been a wonderful year for our women in sports, with significant victories in basketball, cricket, hockey, along with the entry of the first Indian woman in WWE. Our program with Australian Aid “Women in Sports” aims to empower girls across Haryana, through sports, as we firmly believe that sports is a wonderful change agent, and can have significant contribution to our quest for gender equality. We feel such victories on global platforms by our women need to be publicized, so that millions of girls and families across India seek inspiration.
