Thursday, May 15 2025 | Time 02:39 Hrs(IST)
SportsPosted at: May 14 2025 9:19PM


Aizawl teen punches through adversity to win Khelo India gold in Bihar

Aizawl, May 14 (UNI) In a remarkable display of grit and determination, 17-year-old Samuel Zadeng of Mizoram struck gold at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar, clinching the top spot in the boys’ 70kg boxing category.
His victory over Uttar Pradesh’s Peaveen Yadav, secured by a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision, marked Mizoram’s maiden medal at this edition of the national youth sporting event.
Samuel’s triumph is more than just a sporting milestone—it is a hard-earned reward for a youngster balancing athletic dreams with personal hardships. Hailing from Aizawl’s Bawnkawn locality, Samuel has been fighting a battle far beyond the boxing ring. His father, ZD Lalremsanga, a former national-level boxer, has been grappling with a serious neurological illness since 2019, which has left the family dependent on a modest army pension and burdened with ongoing medical expenses.
With limited resources for training and equipment, Samuel’s pursuit of boxing excellence has been driven by sheer perseverance. His recent bronze medal at the Youth National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida was a sign of his rising potential, and now, the Khelo India gold has propelled him into national attention.
“This medal is very special for me and my family. Getting into the Khelo India Scheme is my next goal. It would mean financial assistance and better training facilities, which we desperately need,” Samuel said after his victory.
If selected, the Khelo India Scheme will provide him with a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, easing the family’s financial strain and giving him access to structured coaching support.
Samuel’s journey to the top has been a gradual climb. A three-time silver medallist in state-level competitions, he finally captured his first state gold this year, signalling a breakthrough in his young career. The sport runs deep in his blood—both his father and uncle were boxers, and now Samuel is determined to carry forward that legacy.
“My dream is to wear India’s colours at international events. Winning here is just the first step. I want to prove that athletes from Mizoram can compete and succeed at the highest level,” he said.
Back home, Samuel’s mother and elder sister, who works as a cabin crew member in Chennai, have been his pillars of support, standing by him through every challenge.
While Samuel’s gold has given Mizoram a reason to celebrate, the boxing events in Bihar saw Haryana dominate the boys’ categories, securing six out of ten gold medals. Delhi’s girls’ team also impressed, claiming five golds across different weight divisions.
Elsewhere in the competition, Chandigarh’s Harsh defeated Delhi’s Tikam Singh in the boys’ 55kg final, turning the bout around with a flurry of punches to win by a 4-1 split decision. Manipur’s Radhamani Longjam edged past Punjab’s Muskan in the girls’ 57kg final with a narrow 3-2 verdict, while Haryana’s Nisha overcame Rajasthan’s Jigyasa Patel by the same margin in the 65kg category.
The seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games, hosted across five cities in Bihar and Delhi from May 4 to 15, features competitions in 27 sporting disciplines. For the first time, esports has been included as a demonstration sport. Since its inception in 2017, the Khelo India programme has played a pivotal role in promoting grassroots sports and nurturing future champions for international arenas.
For Samuel Zadeng, the journey has just begun—but with a gold medal around his neck, his dreams are no longer distant.
UNI ZS BD
Tags: #Aizawl teen punches through adversity to win Khelo India gold in Bihar
More News

Praggnanandhaa leads, Firouzja downs Gukesh at Superbet Chess Classic

14 May 2025 | 10:25 PM

Bucharest, May 14 (UNI) After six rounds of play at the Superbet Chess Classic Romania 2025, the tournament remains wide open with four players tied for the lead on Wednesday.

see more..

Neeraj to compete in Poland after Bengaluru postponement

14 May 2025 | 10:23 PM

Chorzow (Poland), May 14 (UNI) The postponement of the NC Classic in Bengaluru has cleared the way for India’s javelin throw star and two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra to compete in the 71st edition of the Janusz Kusociński Memorial athletics meet here on May 23.

see more..

Pope Leo XIV meets Jannik Sinner at Vatican

14 May 2025 | 10:09 PM

Vatican City, May 14 (UNI) Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday received World No. 1 tennis player Jannik Sinner in a private audience at the Vatican, amid the ongoing 2025 Italian Open in Rome.

see more..
Mizoram begin Swami Vivekananda Men’s U20 NFC Group D campaign with a big win

Mizoram begin Swami Vivekananda Men’s U20 NFC Group D campaign with a big win

14 May 2025 | 9:32 PM

Narainpur (Chhattisgarh), May 14 (UNI) Mizoram, playing their first match in Group D, earned a comfortable 4-0 victory against Maharashtra in the Swami Vivekananda Men’s U-20 National
Football Championship at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground here on Wednesday.

see more..

Aizawl teen punches through adversity to win Khelo India gold in Bihar

14 May 2025 | 9:19 PM

Aizawl, May 14 (UNI) In a remarkable display of grit and determination, 17-year-old Samuel Zadeng of Mizoram struck gold at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar, clinching the top spot in the boys’ 70kg boxing category.

see more..