Eight among India’s 10 boxers competing in the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships have received first-round byes when draws were unveiled on Thursday.
India sent a strong 10-member contingent for the meet that begins in St Petersburg, Russia from Friday. Indian hopes will be tied to the fortunes of Ankush Dahiya (60 kg), Ashish (64 kg) and Reyal Puri (81 kg) who have won silver medals at the Asian Youth Championships.
Incidentally, Ashish has not received a bye and will open his campaign against Armenia’s Toni Galstyan on Friday.
India’s Vikas Krishan and Shiva Thapa had won gold and silver in the 2010 edition of the tournament. In 2014, India could only manage a solitary bronze.