In the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026, Chandrika Pujari emerged as India’s star performer, leading the nation to a haul of five medals, one gold, three silver, and one bronze, highlighting the rise of India’s youth boxing programme on the international stage.
Chandrika dominated the women’s 51kg final, defeating Uzbekistan’s Mardonova Nazokat with a unanimous decision to claim gold. Across the Youth Olympic weight categories, India’s U-19 men’s and women’s teams delivered assured performances against quality international opponents, with half the contingent returning home with medals, underscoring the growing strength and depth of India’s youth boxing ecosystem.
Three Indian boxers finished with silver after losing their finals. Gunjan in the 48kg category fell 0-5 to her opponent from England, while Joyshree Devi in the 54kg category narrowly lost 1-4 to a U.S. boxer.
In the men’s 50kg division, L. Ambekar Meetei settled for silver following a defeat to a Ukrainian contender. Earlier, Radhamani Longjam in the 57kg category secured a bronze medal after a closely contested semifinal against Ukraine’s Yevanhelina Petruk.
Held from March 8 to 15, the World Boxing Futures Cup featured some of the most promising young boxers competing in Youth Olympic weight divisions. With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games approaching, the tournament offered India’s rising talents a vital platform to gauge themselves against top global competition and build confidence for the next stage of their careers.
The performances, closely observed by World Boxing President Gennadiy Golovkin and BFI President Ajay Singh, reflected the steady strengthening of India’s youth boxing ecosystem. Structured pathways, regular international exposure, and competitive domestic championships are helping young athletes transition confidently to the global stage, further reinforcing India’s growing presence in world boxing.