India’s first male swimming medallist at the Youth Olympics finishes third in the men’s 200m butterfly in Dakar
India’s Tirthank Pegu scripted history at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Friday, winning bronze in the men’s 200m butterfly to become the first Indian male swimmer to secure a medal at the Youth Olympics.
The 17-year-old clocked 2:01.25 in the final to finish third and claim a historic podium finish.
Egypt’s Zain Ali clinched gold in 1:57.88, while Vietnam’s Duong Van Hoang Quy took silver with a time of 2:00.32.
Pegu had entered the final in impressive form, topping the overall heats standings with a timing of 2:05.30.
The bronze was particularly special for the young Indian swimmer, who had narrowly missed a podium finish in the men’s 100m butterfly earlier in the competition. He finished fourth in that event with a time of 54.98 seconds, missing bronze by just 0.27 seconds.
Pegu’s achievement added to a memorable day for Indian swimming in Dakar, with Dhinidhi Desinghu also claiming bronze in the women’s 200m freestyle. It was her second medal at the Games.
The two swimming bronzes took India’s overall medal tally at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games to six, comprising two silver and four bronze.
For Indian swimming, Pegu’s historic achievement marks another significant milestone on the international stage, offering fresh hope for the country’s next generation of swimmers.
