Giving new hopes to the fans of the sport in the country, World Junior bronze-medallist Sachin Singh (49kg) today became only the third Indian boxer ever to land a gold at the AIBA Youth World Championships.
He knocked down Cuban national champion Jorge Grinan in the summit clash at St Peterburg, Russia.
The 17-year-old outpunched his more fancied rival 5-0 to record a rare Indian triumph over a Cuban boxer.
"Two of my fellow Indian boxers had lost to Cubans earlier in the tournament, I wanted to extract revenge and I am glad I could do it. It is very satisfying to beat stronger and better rivals, especially if it happens to be a Cuban," Sachin told PTI from St Petersburg after the brilliant triumph.
"It is a huge moment in my career. I fought five bouts in this tournament and I am glad I could give a performance like this. The Cuban was also good but it's just that he could not trap me in his strategy. I never allowed him to get close to me," the confident youngster said.
The lanky teen, who once again put his powerful left jab to good use, displayed brilliant ringcraft against his shorter and often clueless opponent.
India thus finished the tournament with one gold and abronze, a marked improvement from the solitary bronze won in the 2014 edition. Naman Tanwar (91kg) had settled for a bronze after losing in the semifinal yesterday.
As promised at a send-off function before the boxers' departure to Russia, the newly-formed Boxing Federation of India was quick to announce a Rs one lakh cash award for Sachin, while Naman will be presented Rs 25,000. The BFI has also promised to suitably reward the coaches travelling with the team.
"Our young boxers Sachin and Naman have made India proud by winning medals in the Youth World Championships. I hope these cash awards will encourage them to do even better in future. This is the first step towards our country reclaiming its rightful place as a boxing power in the world," BFI President Ajay Singh said.
The Bhiwani lad, whose formative coaching took place at the Hawa Singh Academy, joined Thokchom Nanao Singh and Vikas Krishan in the Indian youth world championships gold club.
While Nanao had finished on top in the 2008 edition in the now phased out 48kg category, Vikas had brought home the welterweight gold in 2010.
(With PTI inputs)
