India’s new star is Bishwamitra Chongtham
The ASBC Asian Youth & Junior Boxing Championships finished in Dubai, United Arab Emirates but many stars were born in the event. One of them was India’s Bishwamitra Chongtham who won the gold medal at men’s flyweight (51kg) after beating three Central Asian opponents.
India’s Bishwamitra Chongtham amazed all of the experts in the recent two and half years when he claimed national titles, gold medal at the Fujairah 2019 ASBC Asian Junior Boxing Championships and bronze at the Kielce 2021 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships.
The Indian had a wonderful success in the quarter-finals against a Kazakh opponent, multiple international tournament winner Kenzhe Muratuly. Both moved up to the new flyweight (51kg) only in the recent weeks. The 18-year-old Indian was smaller than his Kazakh opponent but he worked from longer distance and jumped into the best fighting range landing double times more punches than Muratuly and won this important quarter-finals.
He met in the semi-final with Tajikistan’s Akbarali Abdurakhmanzoda who had similar high speed as the Indian talent therefore the first round was a remarkable one between them. Chongtham did not shine enough as in the quarter-finals due to his opponent was also world class, but he worked well to take the lead after six minutes of fight. The 18-year-old Indian has done enough to win this semi-final due to his stamina and high rhythm.
The Indian was smaller than Uzbekistan’s Akhmadjon Kuziboyev in the final of the flyweight (51kg) but he worked from longer distance and after the first break, he delivered his very best. Chongtham used his speed to control the second part of the bout, taking his second Asian title during his career, winning the final by split decision.
“I was not satisfied with my performance in the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Poland this April. I felt that I can win the title there but I bagged only a bronze medal. I worked so hard in the recent months to come back to the throne and earn my second Asian gold medal after Fujairah when I was still a junior boxer. All of my opponents were very good in Dubai but I could use my own game and I surprised them with many of my new combinations therefore I returned to the top of the podium. I am so grateful all of my supporters, coaches, officials and family,” said India’s Bishwamitra Chongtham after the finals in Dubai.
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