New Delhi, May 14 -- 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...