Chhote Lal Yadav: Dronacharya Awardee Aiming for Olympic Success

Chhote Lal Yadav, a celebrated Dronacharya Award recipient, is driven to elevate Indian boxing on the Olympic stage. His recent accolade has intensified his commitment to coaching, particularly in light of the successes achieved by boxers from the Army Sports Institute in Pune. With a focus on rigorous training and discipline, Yadav aims to guide his athletes to gold medals at the upcoming Olympic Games. His innovative coaching methods have already yielded remarkable results, including the historic achievements of young boxers. Read on to learn more about his inspiring journey and aspirations for the future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 18:52 IST

Chhote Lal Yadav's Olympic Aspirations

Chhote Lal Yadav, honored with the Dronacharya Award, expressed that this accolade has fueled his determination to enhance his efforts in coaching, emphasizing his commitment to guiding Indian boxers towards Olympic gold. He received the prestigious award for 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, viewing it as a testament to his dedication and a catalyst for elevating his coaching standards.

Yadav shared his excitement about the recognition, stating, "Winning this award has made me even more motivated. I am committed to working harder than ever before." As a coach, he has been instrumental in training notable athletes like MC Mary Kom, Jaismine Lamboria, and Sakshi. He acknowledged that the achievements of boxers from the Army Sports Institute (ASI) in Pune have heightened his sense of duty.

He remarked, "The responsibility on my shoulders has increased significantly. Our team secured six gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, four of which were from ASI Pune. The young athlete who clinched gold in the youth category also hails from our institute. The rigorous training and discipline at ASI Pune have been pivotal in our success. I am incredibly motivated to strive for Olympic gold and contribute to the boxing community."

Yadav has been crucial in nurturing numerous Indian boxers, including Jaismine, who triumphed in the women's 57kg category. He revamped her training regimen at ASI Pune, focusing more on strength and body-weight exercises to help her achieve world champion status. Another notable boxer, Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei, made history by winning India's inaugural boxing gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, also training at ASI Pune. This year, Yadav was one of three coaches to receive the Dronacharya Award in the regular category, alongside athletics coach Parveer Singh and shooting coach Neha Nandkumar Chavan. Wrestling coach Virender Kumar and boxing coach Dharmendra Singh Yadav were honored with lifetime achievements. The National Sports Awards celebrate exceptional contributions to sports, with the Dronacharya Award recognizing coaches for their unwavering support in helping athletes excel on the international stage.