Sachin Singh in finals of AIBA Youth World Championship

He will tomorrow face Cuba’s reigning national champion Jorge Grinan, who pulled through a tough contest against American Dylan Prince to win 4-1.

Sachin, who is also an Asian Youth Championships quarterfinalist besides being the reigning junior champion, relied on his power-packed left jabs to unnerve the Filipino.

Paalam struggled to negate the height advantage enjoyed by the Indian, who was quick on his feet.

Although Paalam’s right straights were bang on target on most occasions, Sachin was easily fending off his challenge for a majority of the bout by swiftly swaying back.

The 16-year-old Indian’s speed and reflexes were hard to match for Paalam, who was repeatedly thrown off balance in his attempts to connect punches.

Vikas Krishan was the last Indian boxer to win a gold at these Championships when he finished on top in the 2010 edition

In the previous edition, India had managed just a bronze.