Asian Youth Games 2025: India Creates History with Record 48 Medals — 13 Gold, 18 Silver & 17 Bronze in Manama
- TPP
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
India recorded its best-ever performance at the 2025 Asian Youth Games held in Manama, Bahrain, clinching a total of 48 medals — including 13 gold, 18 silver, and 17 bronze. This historic achievement surpassed the nation’s previous tallies from the 2009 Singapore and 2013 Nanjing editions, making it India’s strongest showing in the continental youth event’s history.
India’s Record-Breaking Medal Tally
A 222-member Indian contingent — comprising 119 women and 103 men — participated across various disciplines in Manama. India’s medal count of 48 marked a huge leap from previous editions:
2009 Asian Youth Games (Singapore): 11 medals (5 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze)
2013 Asian Youth Games (Nanjing): 14 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 7 bronze) — where Indian athletes competed under the Olympic flag due to a temporary suspension of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
The 2025 edition, returning after a 12-year gap, saw participation from 45 national federations competing for 1,677 medals (505 gold, 503 silver, 669 bronze) across multiple sports.
India’s first medal of the Games came through Khushi, aged 15, who earned a bronze in the girls’ 70kg kurash event — a traditional form of wrestling originating from Central Asia, which emphasizes throws and balance rather than groundwork.
Shortly after, Ranjana Yadav secured India’s first athletics medal — a silver in the girls’ 5000m race walk, displaying remarkable endurance and pace.
The turning point came when the Indian girls’ kabaddi team clinched the nation’s first gold medal by defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran in a thrilling final. Kabaddi — a contact team sport rooted in ancient Indian tradition — has been one of India’s consistent strengths in multi-sport events.
Historic Weightlifting Feat by Priteesmita Bhoi
India’s first individual gold of the Games came from Priteesmita Bhoi, who set a world youth record in the girls’ 44kg clean and jerk event in weightlifting. The clean and jerk is a two-part Olympic lift where an athlete first brings the barbell to the shoulders (“clean”) and then raises it overhead (“jerk”).
Bhoi’s feat not only secured India’s gold but also placed her name in the global record books — marking a defining moment for Indian youth weightlifting.
Final Day Glory: Boxing and Beach Wrestling Dominate
India closed the Asian Youth Games with an extraordinary final-day performance, bagging 15 medals, including seven golds. The boxing team led the charge with four gold medals, showcasing India’s growing dominance in youth boxing, while the beach wrestling squad added three golds, cementing India’s overall standing.
These achievements brought India’s final tally to 48 medals (13 gold, 18 silver, 17 bronze) — the highest-ever by the country at the Asian Youth Games.
Asian Youth Games 2025: India’s medal winners
Indian medal winners at Asian Youth Games 2025:-
India’s Participation by Sport
Among the 222 Indian athletes:
Athletics fielded the largest contingent with 31 participants,
followed by Kabaddi (28),
Handball (16), and
Boxing (14).Additionally, 10 Indian athletes each competed in taekwondo, wrestling, and weightlifting — sports that contributed significantly to the medal tally.
Qualification for the 2026 Youth Olympics
The 2025 Asian Youth Games also served as a qualification event for the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Dakar, Senegal — the first-ever Olympic event to take place in West Africa.
India’s strong showing in Manama ensures qualification spots in several disciplines for Dakar 2026, marking another milestone in the country’s expanding youth sports ecosystem.
A New Era for Indian Youth Sports
From Khushi’s opening bronze in kurash to the final-day gold rush, India’s campaign reflected the rise of a confident new generation of athletes ready to excel on international platforms. The record 48-medal haul, powered by performances in kabaddi, weightlifting, boxing, and athletics, signals a turning point for Indian youth sports.
As the athletes return home, their success in Manama stands not just as a medal count, but as a symbol of India’s growing sporting depth, diversity, and international competitiveness.
Asian Youth Games 2025 medals tally
Asian Youth Games 2025 – Final Medal Tally
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