Tirthank Pegu Makes History with Bronze at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Historic Achievement for Assam Swimmer

Guwahati, Nov 8: In a remarkable feat, Assam's Tirthank Pegu secured a bronze medal in the men's 200m butterfly event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games held in Senegal, marking him as the first Indian male swimmer to achieve this honor.

The 17-year-old athlete from Jorhat completed the race with a time of 2:01.25, finishing in third place. The gold medal was claimed by Egypt’s Zain Ali with a time of 1:57.88, while Vietnam’s Duong Van Hoang Quy took home the silver with a time of 2:00.32.

Tirthank's success also makes him the second athlete from Assam to earn a medal at the Youth Olympic Games, following boxer Shiva Thapa, who won silver at the inaugural event in Singapore in 2010.

After his victory, Tirthank dedicated his medal to his late father, Kunal Pegu, who was a significant source of inspiration and support throughout his swimming journey.

“My father was my motivation to swim. So, I love him and this is for him too. I’m feeling really great. I always think of him before my events, my race and everything,” he expressed.

Kunal Pegu passed away from a heart attack in Chennai while attending the 2024 Khelo India Youth Games to cheer for his son.

Tirthank also acknowledged his coach, Sandeep Sejwal, under whom he trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari, Karnataka, dedicating the medal to him as well.

“This medal was for Sandeep Sejwal sir specially and my late father,” he noted, highlighting Sejwal’s recent decision to retire from coaching.

In addition to his bronze, Tirthank narrowly missed another medal in Dakar, finishing fourth in the men’s 100m butterfly with a time of 54.98 seconds, just 0.27 seconds away from the podium.

A junior national record holder, Tirthank began his swimming career at the Jorhat Swimming Society pool and has been competing in national events since the 2021-22 season.

He previously won a silver medal in the men’s 200m butterfly at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in 2025.

Before moving to IIS, he trained at the Delhi center of the Sports Authority of India.

This bronze medal has further fueled his aspirations to represent India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I want to represent India in LA 2028 and also qualify for the finals to become the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the finals in the Olympics,” he stated.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Tirthank, calling his achievement a proud moment for both the state and the nation.

“Assam’s son has made history! Heartiest congratulations to Tirthank Pegu on becoming the first Indian male swimmer to win a Youth Olympic Games medal,” Sarma remarked in a social media post.

“A moment of immense pride for Assam as one of our own makes the nation shine on the global stage. Keep soaring, Tirthank,” the Chief Minister added.