World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026: India Target Improved Medal Haul in Montenegro

An 18-member Indian contingent, featuring Asian U-19 medallists Prachi, Joyshree Devi Chirom and Aditya, heads to Budva with ambitions of improving on the 17-medal haul from the inaugural edition.

India will aim to strengthen its position among the leading nations in youth boxing when an 18-member contingent competes at the World U-19 Boxing Championships 2026 in Budva, Montenegro. The team departed on Wednesday, October 14, with the stated ambition of winning medals across the weight categories in which India will participate and improving on its performance at the inaugural edition two years ago.

The Indian squad comprises nine women and nine men, combining medal-winners from the Asian U-19 Boxing Championships held in Jakarta earlier this year with boxers who earned selection through trials conducted in other weight categories.

With several members of the contingent having already demonstrated their ability at the continental level, India will look to translate that form onto the world stage.

India finished second behind England at the first edition of the World U-19 Boxing Championships in Pueblo, Colorado, in the United States, two years ago. The Indian contingent secured an impressive 17 medals, comprising four gold, eight silver and five bronze.

That performance established a strong benchmark for the country's next generation of boxers. The 2026 team will now attempt to build on that achievement, with the coaching and support staff hoping the experience of the Asian U-19 Championships medallists will prove valuable against international opposition.

Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh expressed confidence in the squad's preparation and medal potential ahead of the competition.

"We have a very strong contingent going to Montenegro, and almost every player in the squad has been performing exceptionally well throughout the year. I am confident that we can win a medal in most weight categories and hopefully improve our gold medal count from two years ago," Singh said while wishing the contingent luck.

India's target reflects both the depth of talent in the squad and the ambition to convert promising performances into medals at the global level.

Prachi Leads Women's Challenge

The women's contingent features several boxers who earned medals at the Asian U-19 Boxing Championships in Jakarta earlier this year. Prachi, who won Asian U-19 gold in the 57kg category, will be among the key names to watch as India seeks success in Montenegro. Her continental title provides an encouraging starting point ahead of the world championships.

Joyshree Devi Chirom (54kg), Chahat (60kg), Anshika (75kg), Megha Sheokand (80kg) and Prachi Tokas (80+kg) will also enter the competition after winning silver medals at the Asian U-19 Championships.

The group offers India multiple medal prospects across the women's weight categories, with the Asian championship results providing evidence of their ability to compete against strong opposition.

The full women's squad comprises Himanshi in the 48kg category, Joyshree Devi Chirom at 54kg, Prachi at 57kg, Chahat at 60kg, Harshika at 65kg, Lakshu at 70kg, Anshika at 75kg, Megha Sheokand at 80kg and Prachi Tokas in the 80+kg division.

The breadth of representation across nine categories gives India opportunities to challenge for medals throughout the women's competition.

The men's team also features boxers with experience of competing successfully at the Asian U-19 level. Aditya, an Asian U-19 silver medallist in the 55kg category, will be among the contenders expected to carry that form into the global competition. Dhruv, who secured Asian silver in the 90kg category, will provide another medal prospect.

Mausam Suhag is also part of the men's contingent, bringing experience to a squad that will compete across a range of weight divisions.

The men's lineup includes Aman Dev (50kg), Aditya (55kg), Shivam (60kg), Mausam Suhag (65kg), Prashant (70kg), Lokesh (80kg), Tridev (85kg), Dhruv (90kg) and Krish (90+kg).

With nine boxers representing India across the men's categories, the team will seek to build momentum through strong performances and convert its preparation into results against international competition.

The World U-19 Boxing Championships represents an important opportunity for India's emerging boxers to test themselves against competitors from around the world. Success in Budva would strengthen the country's record at the youth level and provide further encouragement for the development of its next generation of international boxers.

India's performance in Pueblo, where the team won 17 medals, provides a clear target. The presence of multiple Asian U-19 medallists in the current squad offers reasons for optimism, although the challenge will be to reproduce that form in a world championship environment.

The Indian contingent has travelled to Montenegro with ambitions of winning medals across its participating weight categories and improving its gold medal tally. As the competition gets underway, the performances of Prachi, Joyshree Devi Chirom, Aditya, Dhruv and their teammates will be central to India's hopes of finishing among the leading nations.

For the young boxers, Budva offers a chance to turn continental success into global recognition and take another step towards establishing themselves on the international stage.