Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei wins India's first Youth Olympics boxing gold
The Manipur pugilist defeated Ireland's Kristian Jubani to secure India's first gold medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei won India's first-ever boxing gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games by defeating Ireland's Kristian Jubani 3-2 in the men's 50kg final on Thursday in Dakar, Senegal. According to ANI and The Tribune, the victory also provided India with its first gold medal of the ongoing Dakar 2026 edition.
Meetei reached the final after a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Colombia's Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo in the semifinals. His win ended a 16-year wait for an Indian boxing finalist at the Youth Olympics, as reported by Mathrubhumi.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) stated that India's total medal tally at the games has reached nine, consisting of one gold, three silver, and five bronze medals. India currently holds ninth place in the overall standings.
Other medalists at the event include silver medalists Taniya in women's 75kg wrestling, Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada in women's 63kg judo, and Tanvi Patri in badminton. Bronze medals were won by Shourya Ambure in athletics, Dhinidhi Desinghu in swimming, Tirthank Pegu in swimming, and Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu in wushu.
The Indian contingent may add to its tally as Gunjan is scheduled to compete in the women's boxing final at 10:30 pm IST on Thursday. She secured her place in the final after defeating Great Britain's Lily Bassett 4-1 in the semifinals.