Ambekar Meetei Wins India’s First Youth Olympics Boxing Gold

On 12 November 2026, 17-year-old Manipur boxer Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei won India’s first boxing gold at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. He defeated Ireland’s Kristian Jubani 3–2 in the men’s 50kg final.

India’s golden double in boxing

Ambekar Meetei came back after losing the first round on all five judges’ scorecards, winning the next two rounds. He reached the final with a first-round stoppage of Namibia’s Abraham Kalenga in the quarter-finals and a 5–0 semi-final win over Colombia’s Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo.

Later that day, Gunjan won the women’s 48kg gold, beating Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah 5–0. The two victories gave India its first gold medals at the Dakar 2026 Games. India finished with 10 medals: two gold, three silver and five bronze.

Before Ambekar Meetei’s win, India’s best Youth Olympics boxing results were Shiva Thapa’s silver and Vikas Krishan’s bronze at the 2010 Games. Ambekar Meetei trains at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and prepared for the competition at NIS Patiala.

Important Facts for Exams

• Age eligibility: Youth Olympic participants are grouped into ages 15–16, 16–17 and 17–18, with age assessed on 31 December of the competition year.
• Universality places: Youth Olympic events reserve some places for athletes from under-represented nations, regardless of whether they meet qualifying marks.
• Adapted team sports: Summer Youth Olympic team sports can use adapted formats, including 3×3 basketball, futsal and beach volleyball instead of their standard counterparts.