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Time of India
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Samuel hopes gold to be a stepping stone for India future
1 2 Aizawl: 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) 2025 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 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 Bawngkawn 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 disorder since 2019, which has left the family dependent on a modest army pension and burdened with medical limited resources for training and equipment, Samuel's pursuit of boxing excellence has been driven by sheer perseverance. His bronze at Youth National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida last month 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 selected, the 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 the state-level competitions, he finally captured his first state gold this year, signalling a breakthrough in his young career.
Mint
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Samuel Zadeng's boxing gold puts Mizoram on Khelo India Youth Games medal tally; Haryana, Delhi dominate
For 17-year-old Samuel Zadeng, boxing isn't just a sport, it's a legacy and a lifeline. Born to former national level boxer ZD Lalrensanga, the Mizoram teenager has taken his first big step towards carving a name of his own, by clinching the gold in the boys' 70kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar. His gritty 5-0 (Unanimous Decision) victory over Peaveen Yadav of Uttar Pradesh in Wednesday's final helped Mizoram open their account in the tournament. Sagar Thakur of Himachal Pradesh and Anshul Khasa of Haryana settled for the bronze medals in the weight class. But for Samuel, the medal is just part of the mission. Fresh off a bronze at the Youth National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida, the young pugilist is determined to earn a place in the Khelo India Scheme, which would grant him a monthly stipend of ₹ 10,000 and access to improved training facilities. It's a goal driven not just by ambition, but by circumstances. Samuel's family lives on a modest army pension drawn by his father, who has been battling a neurological condition since 2019. The illness left him in intensive care for weeks, and even now, he remains mostly confined to their home in the Bawnkaun locality of Aizawl. A significant portion of the family's income goes toward his treatment, leaving little for Samuel's training needs. 'This is my first time at the Khelo India Youth Games,' a visibly elated Samuel shared after his win. 'I came here focused, after the bronze at Nationals. The priority is to get into the Khelo India Scheme, it would ease the pressure on my family and give me the platform to grow as a boxer,' Samuel told SAI Media. A three-time silver medallist at the state level, Samuel finally broke through with a gold in 2024, becoming the reigning state champion in his weight category. The younger of two siblings, his elder sister works in Chennai as an air hostess for a private airline, Samuel draws strength from his family's legacy. Both his father and uncle were boxers, and now it's his turn to carry the mantle. 'My dream is to represent India at the highest level. KIYG is only the beginning of that journey. This medal is not just a reward, it's a message to myself that I belong here,' he said. For Samuel, every punch is not just a fight in the ring, it's a fight for a future, for his family and for a shot at putting Mizoram on the world boxing map. While Samuel made headlines for Mizoram, Haryana pugilists dominated the boys' events, bagging six of the 10 gold medals on offer. Delhi girls were equally impressive, clinching five of the 10 golds across different categories. In the boys' 55kg final, Chandigarh's Harsh edged past Delhi's Tikam Singh with a 4-1 split decision. Despite a strong start from Tikam, Harsh mounted a fierce comeback in the second and third rounds, landing a barrage of jabs and hooks to take the win. Haryana's Jaitan and Uttar Pradesh's Sundram Yadav won bronze in the category. Among the girls, Manipur's Radhamani Longjam fought her way to a narrow 3-2 split decision win over Punjab's Muskan in the 57kg final. Haryana's Nisha also showcased resilience in her 3-2 victory over Rajasthan's Jigyasa Patel to claim the 65kg gold.
