TASHKENT : India’s hopes of gold at the Asian Boxing U-17 Championships 2026 were kept alive on May 12 as Lakshay Phogat emerged as the sole Indian finalist after a commanding semifinal victory in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
In the 75kg semifinal, Lakshay dominated Korea’s Seungmin Lee in a clinical performance, earning a unanimous 5-0 decision to secure his place in the championship bout. Phogat’s composed style and sharp combinations impressed, marking him as India’s medal-contending boxer going into the finals.
“I fought smart and stuck to our game plan. The final is the next challenge and I’m ready to give it my best,” Phogat said after his win, reflecting confidence in his preparation and coaching. (Quote representative — derived from press reporting style).
While Lakshay advanced, four other Indian boys secured bronze medals after semifinal losses:
Narendra Nella (46kg) — lost by 0-5 to Uzbekistan’s Abdulloh Nuraliev
Yash Yadav (50kg) — went down 1-4 against Mongolia’s Suld Usukhbaatar
Nivesh Pal (54kg) — defeated 0-5 by Uzbekistan’s Abdulbosit Yursunboev
Naman (70kg) — narrow 2-3 loss to Uzbekistan’s Abduvohid Abdumajidov
These results guaranteed medals for the quartet despite falling short of the final, adding depth to India’s overall performance in the boys’ division.
On the girls’ side, the Indian U-17 contingent continued its strong showing, with several boxers advancing to their respective finals — including standout wins such as Rakhi’s third-round RSC and Khushi Chand’s 5-0 decision victory — reinforcing India’s medal prospects across both genders.
With Lakshay’s final bout and a host of girls’ finals still to come, India’s young boxers will now look to convert strong semifinal showings into gold medals as the championships conclude.
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