India Achieves Historic Success at 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar
India's Remarkable Performance at the Youth Olympics
India has wrapped up an impressive campaign at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics held in Dakar, Senegal, securing a total of 10 medals, which include 2 Gold, 3 Silver, and 5 Bronze across 7 different sports. Among the medalists were 5 athletes from the Khelo India program: Tanvi Patri (Badminton), Khushbu Rajakbhai (Judo), Shourya Ambure (Athletics), Gunjan (Boxing), and Tirthank Pegu (Swimming).
Out of the 17 athletes representing India, 9 managed to clinch medals, showcasing a strong performance on this prestigious platform. Notably, swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu made history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Youth Olympic Games edition, as reported by SAI Media. This achievement marks India's second-best performance in the history of the Youth Olympics, only behind the 13 medals earned in 2018.
Gunjan and Lairenlakpam Meetei achieved a milestone by winning India's inaugural boxing gold medals, while Shourya Ambure secured the first athletics medal for the country. India competed in 11 sports, earning medals in 7 disciplines, including first-time victories in Swimming, Beach Wrestling, and Wushu. The boxing team excelled, with L. Ambekar Meetei winning gold in the men's 50kg category and Gunjan in the women's 48kg category, marking a significant achievement in India's Youth Olympic history.
In addition to boxing, India celebrated breakthrough performances in various sports, particularly in swimming, which yielded 3 medals, making it the most successful sport for India at the Games. Tanvi Patri made history by winning a silver medal in women's singles badminton, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. Taniya also made headlines by winning silver in Beach Wrestling, marking India's first medal in this discipline at the Youth Olympics. Shourya Ambure earned a bronze in the women's 100m hurdles, becoming the first Indian woman to medal in athletics at the Youth Olympics, while Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu secured bronze in Wushu, marking India's first medal in this sport at the Games.
List of Indian Medal Winners at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026
GOLD: 1) Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei – Boxing (Boys' 50kg) 2) Gunjan – Boxing (Girls' 48kg) SILVER: 3) Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada – Judo (Girls' 63kg) 4) Tanvi Patri – Badminton (Girls' Singles) BRONZE: 5) Dhinidhi Desinghu – Swimming (Girls' 100m Freestyle) 6) Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu – Wushu (Girls' Changquan Combined) 7) Dhinidhi Desinghu – Swimming (Girls' 200m Freestyle) 8) Tirthank Pegu - Swimming (Boys' 200m Butterfly) 9) Taniya - Beach Wrestling (Girls' Freestyle 75kg) 10) Shourya Ambure - Athletics (Girls' 100m Hurdles).