India Shines at 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games with 10 Medals
India's Impressive Performance in Dakar
Photo: @SportsArena1234/X
New Delhi, Nov 13: India concluded its journey at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Dakar, securing a total of 10 medals, which included two gold, three silver, and five bronze. This achievement marks the nation's second-best performance in the history of the event.
The medal haul came from seven different sports, featuring five athletes from the Khelo India initiative among the winners. Notable medallists included Tanvi Patri (Badminton), Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada (Judo), Shourya Ambure (Athletics), Gunjan (Boxing), and Tirthank Pegu (Swimming).
Out of the 17 athletes representing India, nine returned home with medals. Notably, swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu made history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single Youth Olympic Games edition.
India's tally of 10 medals was only surpassed by the 13 medals won during the 2018 Youth Olympics.
Boxing stood out as India's most successful sport, with Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei clinching gold in the boys' 50kg category and Gunjan achieving gold in the girls' 48kg category.
These victories marked India's first-ever gold medals in boxing at the Youth Olympic Games and the first time the country achieved a boxing gold double.
With two gold medals, India recorded its second-highest gold medal count in a single edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
The campaign also featured several historic milestones in various sports. Shourya Ambure became the first Indian to earn an athletics medal at the Youth Olympic Games, winning bronze in the girls' 100m hurdles. Taniya secured silver in girls' freestyle 75kg beach wrestling, marking India's first medal in this discipline at the event.
India also celebrated its inaugural medals in swimming and Wushu at the Youth Olympics. Swimming proved to be the most fruitful sport for India, yielding three medals.
Dhinidhi Desinghu earned bronze in both the girls' 100m and 200m freestyle events, making her the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition. Tirthank Pegu contributed another bronze in the boys' 200m butterfly event.
In badminton, Tanvi Patri achieved silver in the girls' singles, becoming the first Indian woman to medal in badminton at the Youth Olympic Games. Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada also secured silver in the girls' 63kg judo category.
Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu, training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence in Imphal, won bronze in the girls' Changquan combined event, marking India's first Wushu medal at the Youth Olympics.
India's 10 medals were distributed across seven of the 11 sports in which the country participated, showcasing the progress of its young athletes across various disciplines.
India's medallists at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games 2026:
Gold:
1. Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei – Boxing (Boys' 50kg)
2. Gunjan – Boxing (Girls' 48kg)
Silver:
Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada – Judo (Girls' 63kg)
Tanvi Patri – Badminton (Girls' Singles)
Taniya – Beach Wrestling (Girls' Freestyle 75kg)
Bronze:
Dhinidhi Desinghu – Swimming (Girls' 100m Freestyle)
Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu – Wushu (Girls' Changquan Combined)
Dhinidhi Desinghu – Swimming (Girls' 200m Freestyle)
Tirthank Pegu – Swimming (Boys' 200m Butterfly)
Shourya Ambure – Athletics (Girls' 100m Hurdles)