Ambekar Meetei Creates History With Boxing Gold at Dakar Youth Olympics
The Indian boxer clinches the men’s 50kg gold medal at Dakar 2026, defeating Ireland’s Kristian Jubani to deliver a historic achievement for Indian boxing.
India’s Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei scripted history at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, by winning the gold medal in the men’s 50kg boxing category. The young Manipuri boxer defeated Ireland’s Kristian Jubani in a closely contested final on Thursday, November 12, to secure a landmark victory for the country.
Meetei’s triumph marks a significant moment for Indian boxing, as he became the first Indian boxer to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. His victory also capped an impressive campaign in which he consistently produced strong performances against international opponents.
The 17-year-old entered the final with confidence after delivering a dominant performance in the semifinal. His historic achievement has further strengthened India’s campaign at the Dakar Youth Olympics and highlighted the growing potential of the country’s young boxing talent.
Ambekar Meetei Wins Historic Youth Olympics Gold
Meetei faced Ireland’s Kristian Jubani in the men’s 50kg gold-medal bout. The Indian boxer held his ground in a competitive contest and eventually secured the victory to claim the top position on the podium.
His journey to the final was equally impressive. Meetei defeated Colombia’s Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo 5-0 in the semifinal, earning a unanimous decision from all five judges. The scores were 28-27, 28-27, 28-27, 29-26 and 28-27 in favour of the Indian.
The semifinal victory ended India’s 16-year wait for a male boxing finalist at the Youth Olympic Games. The last Indian boxer to reach the final was Shiva Thapa, who won silver at the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010.
Meetei’s Impressive Run at Dakar 2026
The Manipuri boxer displayed excellent form throughout the competition. He began his campaign with a convincing victory over Senegal’s Faye Cheikh Ibrahima Fall in the quarterfinals, winning 5-0 on points.
Before that, he defeated Namibia’s Abraham Kalenga through a referee-stopped contest (RSC) at 1 minute and 57 seconds, advancing further in the competition.
His commanding performances continued in the semifinal against Colombia’s Arevalo, where another unanimous decision took him into the gold-medal bout.
India’s Boxing Success at Youth Olympics
Meetei’s gold medal represents a major milestone for Indian boxing at the Youth Olympics. His achievement also adds to India’s growing medal tally at the Dakar Games, with the country’s young athletes making their mark across multiple sporting disciplines.
With his historic victory, Meetei has delivered a memorable moment for Indian sport and established himself as one of the standout young boxing talents to watch in the coming years.
