India has an illustrious record in the Asian Games boxing event, with its boxers often competing and excelling in the sport. They have won numerous medals for the country since the very beginning and have brought laurels to the nation.
The Indian boxers have been a major force in this particular sport at the Asian Games. Over the years, they have won five Gold medals, six Silver medals, and nine Bronze medals. Except for a few years, they have won a medal in the boxing event at the Asian Games every year.
Year |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Total |
1951 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1954 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1958 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1962 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1966 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1970 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1978 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1982 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1986 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1998 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2006 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2010 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2014 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
2018 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Total |
5 |
6 |
9 |
20 |
It all started in 1951, when K.D. Jadhav won the first medal, a Gold medal for India in the sport of boxing. The medal came in the Flyweight category at the Asian Games played in Delhi.
In the 1954 Asian Games, India won two medals in boxing, and subsequently, the Indian boxers won a medal each until the 1970 Asian Games. In the 1978 games, Amarjit Singh Rakhra won a bronze medal, whereas in the 1982 and 1986 games, Mohd. Ali Qamar won a bronze.
The 2014 Asian Games were the most successful year for the Indian boxing contingent, as they won a total of five medals in both the men’s and women’s categories. Mary Kom won a gold medal, Sarita Devi won a silver, and Vikas Krishan Yadav, Satish Kumar, and Laishro Devendra Singh won a bronze each.
In the latest edition of the Asian Games (2018 in Jakarta), India’s Amit Panghal defied all odds and won a Gold medal for the country in the Light Flyweight category of Boxing.
A lot of medals are expected from the Indian boxers in this year’s Asian Games as well. The contingent is really strong and has the experience required to perform at this stage.