Although the Army Sports Institute had only ten representatives among the 158 competitors participating in the recently concluded Commonwealth Youth Games, all ten athletes contributed to India’s medal tally at the games. The disciplines of boxing, weightlifting and wrestling for which the ASI conducted training camps, each produced medals and contributed to the overall success of the country.

In boxing, ASI had six representatives of which two won gold, one won silver and three won bronze medals. Wrestling saw a solitary representative in Ajit Patil who won gold in the 42 kg category. Three weightlifters, who underwent a training camp in the ASI, won silver medals.

Colonel Satpal Ahlawat, commandant of the ASI, said that intense training of the athletes was the key to success. “I am delighted with the performance of these athletes of the ASI. They trained hard and were focused on their objective. They set a target to secure medals and achieved it.”

The ASI had conducted a six-month rigorous coaching camp for the three disciplines — boxing, weightlifting and wrestling. “The training was specific and scientific. Wrestling coach Piararam Sondhi conducted a thorough training camp at the institute. The atmosphere for training was good as there were a variety of wrestlers for the competitors to practice with.

Boxing coach Luis Enrique, who is from Cuba, has done a fantastic job with the young pugilists. Weightlifting coach Imre Zsuga from Hungary is very experienced and has given the young weightlifters some valuable advice,” said the Colonel.

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