Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei Scripts History with India’s First Youth Olympic Boxing Gold

Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei produced a remarkable comeback to make history for Indian boxing at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. The boxer from Manipur defeated Ireland’s Kristian Jubani 3-2 in the men’s 50kg final, becoming the first Indian to win a boxing gold medal at the Youth Olympics.

In a contest that demanded resilience and composure, Ambekar recovered from a difficult opening round to secure a dramatic split-decision victory. The result also gave India its first gold medal at Dakar 2026, making his triumph a landmark moment for the country's campaign at the Games.

The final appeared to be moving away from the Indian boxer early on. Ambekar lost the opening round on all five judges’ scorecards, putting himself under immediate pressure against Jubani. With the Irish boxer having established an advantage, Ambekar needed a significant response to remain in contention for the title.

He delivered exactly that in the second round.

Ambekar increased his intensity and began turning the contest around. His attacking work forced the referee to administer a standing eight count against Jubani, providing a crucial moment in the Indian boxer's comeback. The shift in momentum gave Ambekar an opportunity to take control of the contest after a challenging start.

The final round proved decisive. Ambekar dominated the closing stages, building on the momentum he had generated in the second round. He maintained his challenge through the final exchanges and did enough to convince three of the five judges, securing a 3-2 split-decision victory.

The scoreline reflected the closely contested nature of the final, but the result belonged to Ambekar, who had turned a difficult position into a historic championship win.

Ambekar’s victory marks India's first-ever boxing gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. It also ends a long wait for an Indian boxer to reach the top of the podium at the competition. The achievement carries additional significance because Ambekar is the first Indian boxer to reach a Youth Olympics final since Shiva Thapa accomplished the feat in 2010. Thapa's appearance had placed an Indian boxer in the championship contest at the inaugural edition of the Youth Olympic Games. Sixteen years later, Ambekar went a step further by winning the title.

His gold medal is therefore not just an individual achievement but an important milestone in the history of Indian youth boxing. It provides a landmark result for a programme that has seen Indian boxers compete on the international stage across age groups, while giving the next generation a significant achievement to aim for.

The manner of the victory will also stand out. Losing the first round unanimously could have put considerable pressure on a young boxer in an Olympic final. Instead, Ambekar responded with a strong second round, created a decisive moment through the standing eight count and carried his momentum into the closing stages.

The ability to recover under pressure was central to the result. Against an opponent who had started strongly, Ambekar demonstrated the determination required to stay in the contest and change its direction.

India’s first gold at Dakar 2026

The victory also placed Ambekar at the centre of India's campaign at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. His success delivered the country's first gold medal at Dakar 2026 and gave the Indian contingent a historic moment to celebrate.

For Manipur, the achievement is another important moment in the state's contribution to Indian sport. Ambekar's triumph brings recognition to a young boxer from the state and adds a major international title to India's boxing achievements.

The men's 50kg final will be remembered for the contrast between its opening and closing stages. Jubani had the early advantage, with all five judges scoring the first round in his favour. Ambekar, however, refused to allow that opening setback to define the contest. His response in the second round changed the momentum, while his performance in the third completed the turnaround.

A 3-2 split decision made the finish particularly tense, but it was enough to confirm Ambekar as the Youth Olympic champion.

With this victory, Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei has secured a place in Indian boxing history. He is the country's first Youth Olympic boxing gold medallist, the first Indian boxer to reach a Youth Olympics final since 2010, and the athlete who delivered India's opening gold medal at Dakar 2026.

It was a victory built on a comeback, sealed in the final round and achieved on one of the biggest stages in youth sport. For Indian boxing, Ambekar's gold is a historic breakthrough.