Ambekar Meetei Makes History with India's First Youth Olympic Boxing Gold
Historic Victory for Indian Boxing
Dakar [Senegal], November 12: Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei has etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian boxer to secure a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. He achieved this remarkable feat by defeating Ireland's Jubani Kristian with a score of 3-2 in the men's 50kg final held in Dakar 2026 on Thursday. This victory also marks India's inaugural gold medal in the current edition of the Youth Olympics, bringing the nation's total medal count to nine, as reported by the Boxing Federation of India (BFI).
Significance of the Win
Meetei's triumph is a landmark achievement for Indian boxing, as it is the first gold medal won by the country in this sport at the Youth Olympic Games. Currently, India stands ninth in the overall medal tally with nine medals: one gold, three silver, and five bronze. The Indian team has the potential to increase this count, with Gunjan set to compete in the women's boxing final at 10:30 PM IST on Thursday after her semi-final victory over Great Britain's Lily Bassett, winning 4-1.
Other Notable Performances
In the semi-finals, Ambekar Meetei showcased his skills by defeating Colombia's Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo with a commanding 5-0 score, securing his place in the gold medal match. India's medal achievements in Dakar span various sports, with young athletes excelling in athletics, wrestling, judo, badminton, swimming, and wushu.
Athletics and Wrestling Highlights
In athletics, Shourya Ambure earned a bronze medal in the women's 100m hurdles, achieving a personal best of 13.59 seconds, making her the first Indian woman to medal in athletics at the Youth Olympic Games. Wrestler Taniya also made history by winning silver in the women's 75kg category, marking India's first youth wrestling medal at the event. She narrowly lost 1-2 to China's Min Zhao, a gold medallist at the 2025 U17 World Wrestling Championships.
Swimming Achievements
In swimming, Dhinidhi Desinghu secured two bronze medals in the women's 100m and 200m freestyle events, becoming the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Youth Olympic Games. Tirthank Pegu contributed another bronze in the men's 200m butterfly, making him the first Indian male swimmer to win a medal at these games. Additionally, Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu earned bronze in the women's changquan combined wushu event.
Looking Ahead
India's most successful Youth Olympic Games campaign occurred in 2018 in Buenos Aires, where the country finished with a total of 13 medals, including three golds, nine silvers, and one bronze. With Ambekar Meetei's historic win and Gunjan's upcoming final, India has a promising opportunity to enhance its medal tally at the ongoing Dakar Games.