Youth boxing: SSCB boys, Haryana girls triumph

Chandigarh, June 13 

SSCB boys were crowned champions while Haryana girls dominated the final day with five gold medals in the 3rd Youth Boxing Nationals in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, on Thursday.

Services scripted a whitewash among boys, finishing their campaign with an impressive 10 medals — nine gold and one bronze — while Haryana were too good for their opponents in lower weight categories in the girls’ competition as they ended with five gold medals, two silver and one bronze. 

Services gathered a total of 69 points and were declared the best team of the tournament while Haryana girls topped with 46 points.

It was a dominating show by the Services boxers, led by their frontline boxers of 2018 Youth World bronze medalist Bhavesh Khattimnani (52kg), Harsh Chaudhury (75kg) and Lakshya Chahar (81kg) as they got unanimous verdicts while Vijaydeep (69kg) ensured the top spot with a split decision. 

The only category where no Services boxer featured was the 91kg, where Harsh Gill of Haryana won the gold after getting the better of Delhi’s Harsh Rana. 

In the girl’s category, Minakshi (51kg) gave Haryana a strong start after winning the battle of nerves in an intense encounter against Sandeep Kaur of Punjab as the referees tipped the verdict 3:2 in favour of the Haryana pugilist. 

Poonam extended Haryana’s lead with a 5:0 win over Rajasthan’s Arshi Khanan in the 54 kg summit clash. Rajasthan though finished with six medals, including three gold. Punjab and Manipur secured their lone gold in the finals through Komal (81kg) and Sanamacha Chanu (75kg) respectively.

Haryana boys finsihed second with nine medals. — TNS