Indian boxers Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei and Gunjan won gold medals at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, on November 12. Both Indian representatives competing in the boxing finals secured victories, giving the country a double gold in the sport.
Ambekar Meetei won the men’s 50kg final, defeating Ireland’s Kristian Jubani by a 3-2 split decision. The closely contested bout was level on the judges’ scorecards entering the final round. An attacking finish helped the Indian boxer secure the victory.
Gunjan won the women’s 48kg final, defeating Algeria’s Bensalah Bouthaina by a unanimous 5-0 decision. Her victory made her the first Indian woman to win a boxing gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games.
The two results marked India’s first boxing gold medals at the Youth Olympics. Both boxers finished their campaigns at the top of their respective weight categories.
Gunjan’s victory also completed India’s second gold medal of the competition. The country’s overall medal tally reached 10, comprising two gold, three silver and five bronze medals.
India’s previous best Youth Olympic Games performance came in Buenos Aires in 2018, when the contingent won 13 medals, including three gold, nine silver and one bronze.
Other Indian medal winners in Dakar included Shourya Ambure, who won bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles, and Taniya, who secured silver in women’s 75kg wrestling. Badminton player Tanvi Patri and judoka Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada also won silver medals.
Swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu secured bronze medals in the women’s 100m and 200m freestyle events.
The boxing competition concluded on November 12, with 10 gold medals decided across the final sessions at the Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio.
