Celebrating India’s unprecedented success at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain.
India has consistently demonstrated a growing prowess in the international sporting arena, and nowhere is this more evident than in its remarkable journey at the Asian Youth Games. From its debut to its recent, spectacular performance, the Indian medal tally in Asian Youth Games has showcased the nation’s burgeoning youth talent. This blog post explores India’s participation across various editions, culminating in an unprecedented best-ever performance at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain, where the nation secured an impressive 48 medals. Join us as we celebrate these young champions and their historic achievements.
The Ascent to Glory: India’s Journey at the Asian Youth Games
India’s journey at the Asian Youth Games began with modest but promising results. In the inaugural 2009 Asian Youth Games held in Singapore, India showcased its potential by securing a total of 11 medals, comprising 5 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze, which placed the country seventh in the medal table. This early success set a foundational stage for future endeavors.
The subsequent edition, the 2013 Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China, presented unique challenges. Despite the temporary suspension of the Indian Olympic Association, Indian athletes competed valiantly as Independent Olympic Athletes, earning 14 medals – 3 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze – and finishing tenth. These initial games were crucial in identifying and nurturing young talent, preparing them for grander stages.
Manama 2025: A Historic Triumph for India
The 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain, marked a watershed moment for Indian youth sports. India achieved its best-ever performance, clinching a staggering 48 medals, which included 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze. This remarkable achievement placed India in an outstanding 6th position overall among 45 competing nations, significantly surpassing its combined totals from the 2009 and 2013 editions.
The Manama 2025 Games were filled with historic firsts and inspiring stories. At just 15 years old, Khushi etched her name in history by winning India’s first medal at Manama 2025, a bronze in the girls’ 70kg kurash event. The girls’ kabaddi team then secured India’s first gold medal of the competition with a decisive victory over Iran. Perhaps the most sensational moment came from Priteesmita Bhoi, who earned India’s first individual gold medal by setting a new world youth record in the girls’ 44kg clean and jerk weightlifting event, successfully lifting an incredible 92kg. Ranjana Yadav also made her mark, opening India’s account in athletics with a silver in the girls’ 5000m race walk. The final day saw an incredible Final Day Surge, with Indian athletes clinching 15 medals, including seven golds, showcasing their determination until the very end.
Dominance in Combat Sports
A significant contributor to India’s success at Manama 2025 was its Dominance in Combat Sports. Ten of India’s 13 gold medals came from these disciplines, highlighting the nation’s strength in boxing, wrestling, and beach wrestling.
Boxing Excellence was particularly evident, with Indian youth boxers delivering a historic performance, securing 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze). This marked the highest medal tally by any single discipline in the Indian contingent and represented India’s best-ever showing in youth boxing at continental games, topping the Girls’ Boxing section. Gold Medalists in Boxing included Khushi Chand (46kg), Ahaana Sharma (50kg), Chandrika Bhoreshi Pujari (54kg), and Anshika (+80kg). Silver medalists were Harnoor Kaur (66kg) and Lanchenba Singh Moibungkhongbam (50kg), while Anant Deshmukh (66kg) clinched a bronze.
India’s Wrestling Success also shone brightly, with Moni (57kg), Yashita (61kg), and Jaiveer Singh (55kg) all earning gold medals in freestyle wrestling. Furthermore, Beach Wrestling Achievements added to the tally with three golds and two silvers, courtesy of Sani Subhash Fulmali (60kg), Anjali (55kg), and Arjun Ruhil (90kg) who secured gold, and Sujay Nagnath Tanpure (70kg) and Ravinder (80kg) winning silver.
Beyond Combat: Weightlifting and Other Key Achievements
While combat sports led the charge, India’s success at Manama 2025 was broad-based, with significant achievements in other disciplines. As mentioned, Priteesmita Bhoi not only won a gold but also shattered records in weightlifting, setting a new world youth record in the girls’ 44kg clean and jerk. She also secured a silver in the snatch section. Arumugapandian Maharajan added two silver medals in the 60kg weightlifting category.
The Kabaddi Gold was another highlight, with both the Indian boys’ and girls’ teams achieving top honors. In athletics, Ranjana Yadav earned a silver in the girls’ 5000m race walk. Judo contributed with Monika Khuyenthem (silver in girls’ 63kg) and Harshit (bronze in boys’ 73kg). The mixed taekwondo team, featuring Hardik Ahlawat, Dhanashree Pawar, Gharluxmi Phurailatpam, and Nihal Dewali, proudly brought home a bronze. A mixed doubles pair of Sarthak Arya and Syndrela Das clinched a bronze in table tennis, while Tirthank Pegu earned a medal in Boys’ 200m Butterfly in swimming. Alphonsa Zinia Wriang also contributed with a bronze in Wai Kru 16–17 final in gymnastics, showcasing the diverse talent within the Indian contingent.
The Road Ahead: 2026 Youth Olympics and Future Aspirations
The 2025 Asian Youth Games were not just a platform for immediate glory but also served as a crucial qualification event for the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal. This dual significance amplifies the achievements of the 222 Indian athletes (119 women and 103 men) who competed across 21 sports, with athletics fielding the largest contingent. The experience gained and records broken at Manama will undoubtedly fuel the aspirations of these young athletes on the global stage.
India’s exceptional performance at Manama 2025 underscores a robust pipeline of talent and a growing sports infrastructure aimed at nurturing future champions. This momentum sets a high standard for the upcoming Youth Olympics and future continental and global competitions. The dedication and sheer talent displayed by these young athletes promise a vibrant future for Indian sports, inspiring a new generation to pursue excellence.
Conclusion
India’s journey at the Asian Youth Games has been one of consistent growth, culminating in an awe-inspiring performance at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain. The record-breaking 48 medals, including 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze, and the impressive 6th position overall among competing nations, unequivocally demonstrate India’s surging sporting prowess and the immense potential of its youth talent. From historic firsts like Khushi’s inaugural medal and Priteesmita Bhoi’s Weightlifting World Record to the Dominance in Combat Sports and the Kabaddi Gold, these young athletes have not only brought glory to the nation but also set a new benchmark for excellence. As India looks ahead to the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, the unprecedented success at Manama 2025 serves as a powerful testament to the bright future of Indian sports.
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