Two boxers, two gold medals!India scripted history at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as L Ambekar Meetei (men’s 50kg) and Gunjan (women’s 48kg) clinched gold medals on Thursday.
A perfect 100% gold record for India’s two-member boxing contingent!
Meetei opened India’s gold medal account with a thrilling 3:2 victory over Ireland’s Jubani Kristian in the men’s 50kg final.
Gunjan followed with a dominant performance, defeating Algeria’s Bensalah Bouthaina 5:0 by unanimous decision in the women’s 48kg final.
A historic first for Indian boxing!
These are India’s first-ever gold medals in boxing at the Youth Olympic Games. Before Dakar, Indian boxers had won two medals at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore, with Shiva Thapa claiming silver and Vikas Krishan taking bronze.
India had also won three gold medals at the 2018 Youth Olympics, including two in shooting and one in wrestling.
With these two gold medals, India’s medal tally in Dakar stands at 2 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze, lifting the country from 58th to 16th position.
Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh hailed the achievement as a historic moment for Indian boxing and Indian sport, highlighting the growing depth of talent and the country’s emerging boxing pipeline.
Two boxers. Two finals. Two gold medals. Indian boxing has announced the arrival of its next generation!
