Indian boxers get 1st-round byes at Youth World Championships

Eight of the 10 Indian boxers in fray got first-round byes when draws for the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships were unveiled in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The 10-strong Indian team comprises, among others, three boys who have won silver medals at the Asian Youth Championships. They are Ankush Dahiya (60kg), Ashish (64kg) and Reyal Puri (81kg).

Of these three, Ashish is the only one not to have got a bye and will open his campaign against Armenia’s Toni Galstyan, while Srinivas (69kg) will take on Frenchman Milan Prat in his lung-opener on Friday.

The 16 to 18-year-olds would be competing in the biggest event of their nascent careers, up against a formidable field of 417 boxers from 75 countries.

Among other Indians in the fray, Sachin (49kg) will open his campaign against the winner of the clash between Korean Seongchan Baek and Mexico’s Gustavo Antonio Alvarez on Saturday. Reigning national champion Anwar (52kg) will face England’s Akash Tuqir, also on Saturday.

Etash Khan (56kg) will be up against the winner of the bout between Cuban Alexei Romero Rodriguez and Egypt’s Elsayed Ragab Oman on November 19. Ankush Dahiya (60kg) will be up against the winner of the clash between German Nick Bier and Scotland’s Mark Reid on November 20. Aditya Maan (75kg) will face England’s Ben Ress on the same day.

Reyal Puri (81kg) is pitted against Azerbaijan’s Elkhan Aliyev, while Naman Tanwar (91kg) will square off against Crotia’s Marijan Brnic on November 21. Manjeet (+91kg) will await the winner of the clash between Greek Vagkan Nanitzanian and Ukraine’s Viachesla Havryliuk on November 22.

The event will be held till November 24.