India finishes as Leader in the 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games

The III Commonwealth Youth Games were held in Pune from the 12th to 18th October 2008. Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries participated in these games, in 9 disciplines -Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling were included in the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008.

These games were extremely important for India in the point of view of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. And guess what, India finished as the topper in the medals tally with 76 medals (33 Gold, 26 Silver and 17 Bronze) to its name. Top Indian performers were Virdhawal Khade (swimming), Saina Nehwal, Sikki Reddy (Badminton), Dheeraj Mishra (Tripple Jump), Ankush Bhardwaj (Shooting), Olympic bronze medalist Vijender Kumar's cousin Balwinder Beniwal (Boxing of course!).

This performance should give India its future stars ready to perform at the bigger stages. 

Congrats Everyone for their splendid show and all the very best for future.