India, May 15 -- Lakshay Phogat doesn't come from a boxing background. His parents are teachers. However, the boxer from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, became fascinated by the sport after watching youngsters throw punches at each other in a boxing academy. Lakshay not only took up the sport but on Friday made an inspiring start to his international career, winning a silver medal in the 75kg weight class at the Asian U17 Boxing Championships in Tashkent.

"My aim was to win a medal for my country and I am happy that I was able to do that. It was a good experience for me," Lakshay told HT from Tashkent.

In the final, Lakshay lost to Marufjon Toshpulatov of Uzbekistan 5-0. In the earlier rounds, he came out strong against some tough opponents b...