Gunjan Makes History with Youth Olympic Gold as India Completes Boxing Double at Dakar 2026

Indian boxing celebrated another historic moment at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar as Gunjan clinched the women’s 48kg gold medal with a commanding victory over Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah. 

The 17-year-old secured a comprehensive 5–0 unanimous decision in the final on November 12, becoming the first Indian woman to win a boxing medal at the Summer Youth Olympics.

Her triumph completed a remarkable golden double for India in boxing. Earlier, Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei had won the men’s 50kg title by defeating Ireland’s Kristian Jubani 3–2 in a split decision. With both Indian boxers winning their respective finals, the country secured two boxing gold medals at Dakar 2026.

For Gunjan, the victory was more than a championship result. It marked a breakthrough for Indian women’s boxing at the Youth Olympic Games, adding a historic achievement to a sport in which Indian women have built a strong reputation across international competitions.

Gunjan entered the championship contest after an impressive run through the women’s 48kg draw. In the semi-final, she defeated Lily Bassett 4–1 to book her place in the gold-medal bout. The victory put her one win away from the title, but the final against Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah presented the decisive test.

Gunjan responded with a performance that left little doubt about the outcome.

Facing Bensalah in the final, the Indian boxer controlled the contest and earned the backing of all five judges. Each judge scored the bout 30–27 in Gunjan’s favour, giving her a unanimous 5–0 decision. The identical scorecards reflected the Indian boxer's dominance across the contest and confirmed her status as the women's 48kg Youth Olympic champion.

There was no split decision or last-minute uncertainty this time. After Ambekar had produced a dramatic comeback in the men's final, Gunjan delivered a convincing performance to secure India's second boxing gold of the Games.

At just 17, she became the first Indian female boxer to win a Youth Olympic gold medal and the first Indian woman to claim any boxing medal at the Summer Youth Olympics.

A landmark for Indian women's boxing

Gunjan’s achievement carries significance beyond the medal tally. Indian women’s boxing has produced major performances at World Championships, continental championships and age-group competitions. However, translating that strength into Olympic success has remained an important challenge.

At the senior Olympic level, Indian women’s boxing has so far produced two bronze medals. Gunjan’s Youth Olympic triumph does not change that senior Olympic record, but it provides a significant milestone in the development of the next generation.

Her gold medal demonstrates the potential emerging from India's youth boxing programme and gives young female boxers another landmark performance to draw inspiration from. Winning a final through a unanimous decision also underlines the authority of her performance on the international stage.

The result is particularly encouraging because it came alongside Ambekar's victory in the men's 50kg category. India had two boxers competing at the Youth Olympic Games, and both returned as champions. A two-from-two gold-medal return represents a significant achievement for the Indian boxing contingent at Dakar 2026.

The double also gave Indian boxing two contrasting but equally memorable finals. Ambekar had to recover after losing the opening round on all five judges' scorecards before winning 3–2. Gunjan, meanwhile, produced a clear 5–0 victory, with every judge awarding her a 30–27 score.

Gunjan’s victory was also India's second gold medal at Dakar 2026 and the country's 10th overall medal at the Youth Olympic Games. Her success added to the growing medal count and gave the Indian contingent another reason to celebrate on a memorable day for the sport.

The two boxing finals ensured that India finished the day with both titles available in these categories. Ambekar's victory over Ireland's Kristian Jubani had already delivered India's first-ever Youth Olympic boxing gold. Gunjan then followed it with another historic result, making India the home of both the men's 50kg and women's 48kg champions.

For Indian women's boxing, the importance of the result lies in the pathway it represents. Gunjan has now established herself as a Youth Olympic champion at an age when athletes are still developing the technical, physical and competitive qualities required for senior international sport. The next stage will be to build on this achievement as she progresses through the ranks.

A golden moment for the next generation

The Dakar 2026 finals will be remembered as a defining moment for India's young boxers. Ambekar and Gunjan delivered two gold medals, but Gunjan's victory carries a particular place in the history of Indian women's boxing: she is the country's first female Youth Olympic boxing champion and its first woman to win a boxing medal at the Summer Youth Olympics.

Her 5–0 victory over Bouthaina Bensalah, backed by five identical 30–27 scorecards, provided a fitting finish to her campaign. At 17, Gunjan has achieved what no Indian female boxer had done before at the Youth Olympic Games.

India arrived in Dakar with two boxers in these events and leaves with two champions. For Gunjan, the gold is a personal breakthrough. For Indian boxing, it is a landmark achievement and a promising sign of the talent emerging in the women's ranks.