New Delhi, October 2026 : Indian boxers Megha Sheokand and Prachi Tokas have assured the country of medals at the ongoing 2026 World Boxing U-19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro, following impressive performances in their respective women’s categories.
Megha became the second Indian boxer to secure an assured medal on Friday after defeating Turkey’s Melisa Eroglu 5-0 in the women’s 80kg quarterfinals. With the victory, she advanced to the semifinals and confirmed a place on the podium.
Asian U-19 champion Prachi Tokas also continued her strong run, defeating Canada’s Alie Chartier by Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) to progress in the women’s 57kg category. Prachi dominated the bout, forcing the referee to give Chartier one count in the opening round and two in the second before stopping the contest.
Prachi had earlier secured India’s first medal at the championships by defeating Samoa’s Kealey Perez in the quarterfinals. The Indian boxer controlled all three rounds against Perez, who had won the women’s 80kg gold medal at the U-19 World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this year. Prachi is scheduled to face Russia’s Samira Itonieva in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Harshika and Lakshu moved within one victory of assuring themselves medals after recording wins in their respective pre-quarterfinal bouts. Harshika defeated Australia’s Tiana Rew 4-0 in the women’s 65kg category, while Lakshu edged past Turkey’s Buse Nur Yahan 3-2 in the women’s 70kg division.
India also witnessed mixed results in other bouts. Himanshi lost 1-4 to Ireland’s Ellen Joyce in the women’s 48kg pre-quarterfinals. Anshika’s campaign in the women’s 75kg category ended after she lost by RSC to China’s Shengjie Gong.
In the men’s competition, Aman Dev produced a commanding performance to beat Serbia’s Pavle Popovic 5-0 and enter the quarterfinals of the 50kg category. He will next take on Georgia’s Shalva Beridze for a place in the semifinals.
Mausam Suhag also advanced to the round of 16 in the men’s 65kg category after registering a 5-0 victory over Italy’s Giuseppe Cavallo. He will face Turkey’s Mehmet Enes Sanli in his next bout.
However, Dhruv bowed out of contention in the men’s 90kg category after losing 0-3 to Poland’s Aleksander Sikora.
India’s campaign at the 2026 World Boxing U-19 Championships continues, with several young boxers aiming to secure medals and strengthen the country’s presence in international youth boxing.
