India's Golden Punch: Ambekar Meetei and Gunjan Win Historic First Youth Olympic Boxing Golds

Two young boxers trade punches in the ring. India's Ambekar Meetei and Gunjan won the country's first-ever Youth Olympic boxing golds in Dakar. (Photo: Pexels — representative image)

Indian boxing has a new golden chapter. On Thursday, two teenagers in Dakar, Senegal, did what no Indian boxer had ever done before — win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. And they did it twice in a single day.

Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei, a 17-year-old from Manipur, opened India's account with a hard-fought 3-2 split-decision win over Ireland's Kristian Jubani in the men's 50kg final. Hours later, Gunjan dominated Algeria's Bensalah Bouthaina 5-0 in the women's 48kg final to complete a historic double. Together, they gave India its first two gold medals of the Dakar 2026 Games — and its first-ever boxing golds at the Youth Olympics.

A Split Decision That Made History

Ambekar's final was a thriller from the first bell. The youngster from Manipur, who trains at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, had to withstand a strong challenge from Jubani in a closely contested bout. Three of the five judges scored it 29-28 in his favour, sealing a 3-2 split-decision victory and the biggest win of his young career.

It was the end of a 16-year wait. Since the Youth Olympics began in Singapore in 2010, no Indian boxer had ever topped the podium. The country's previous best was Shiva Thapa's silver medal in the 54kg category at that very first edition. Ambekar, who began his campaign on November 8 and won four bouts in total, finally broke through — and became India's first-ever Youth Olympic boxing champion.

Gunjan's Dominant Display

If Ambekar's gold was won the hard way, Gunjan's was won in style. The teenager controlled her women's 48kg final against Bensalah from the opening round, landing cleanly and never letting the Algerian settle. All three rounds went her way, and the judges returned a unanimous 5-0 verdict.

With that win, Gunjan became the first Indian woman boxer to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. It was a fitting finish to a golden day for Indian boxing.

A Perfect Record for Indian Boxing

The double gold meant something even more remarkable: India sent just two boxers to Dakar, and both came home as champions. The two-member contingent finished with a 100 per cent medal record — two finals, two gold medals.

Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh called it a landmark moment for the sport. "These are also India's first-ever gold medals in boxing at the Youth Olympic Games," he said, adding that the two victories had also opened India's gold medal account at the Dakar 2026 edition.

India's Best-Ever Finish in Dakar

The two boxing golds were the headline act of a campaign India will remember. The country signed off from the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games with 10 medals — two gold, three silver and five bronze — across seven disciplines, its second-best performance in the history of the competition.

The boxing double also lifted India from 58th to 16th in the overall standings. And the firsts did not stop at boxing: Shourya Ambure won India's first athletics medal at the Youth Olympics, while Taniya claimed the country's first youth wrestling medal. Five of the medallists were Khelo India athletes.

For context, India had won three gold medals at the 2018 Youth Olympics — two in shooting and one in wrestling. Dakar 2026 has now added boxing to that list.

Two teenagers, two finals, two gold medals — and a 16-year wait finally over. Indian boxing has found its new heroes, and they are only just getting started.

Which of the two golds impressed you more — Ambekar's thrilling 3-2 win or Gunjan's dominant 5-0 display? Tell us in the comments.