Ambekar Meetei stood in the corner of the ring in Dakar, trailing on every scorecard. Five judges had just handed the opening round of the men's 50kg final to Ireland's Kristian Jubani. Defeat loomed. Yet within three blistering minutes, the teenager from Imphal East turned the bout inside out, forced a standing eight count, and boxed his way to India’s first-ever Youth Olympic gold medal in the sport.
Before the arena could catch its breath, Gunjan finished the sweep. The young pugilist stepped through the ropes in the women's 48kg final, dismantled Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah, and etched her name into the books as India’s first female Youth Olympic boxing champion.
The twin victories formed the crown jewel of India’s most prolific Youth Olympic showing to date. Across the tournament, a squad of 17 Indian athletes scooped up 10 medals—two gold, three silver, and five bronze.
A victory looked distant when the judges returned their scores after round one. Ambekar had lost the frame unanimously. The Irish fighter held control, pushing the tempo and keeping the Indian pinned on the outside.
Then came the corner instructions. Coach Vijay Kumar Sharma demanded patience, tight range, and short, explosive combinations. Ambekar listened. He stepped into the pocket, cut the ring, and unloaded a flush combination in the second frame that snapped Jubani’s head back. The referee stepped between them, issuing a standing count. That single sequence altered the trajectory of the final.
It still feels like a dream. I want to thank my family, my coaches and everyone in India who supported me. This medal is for my country. I told myself not to panic. My coaches asked me to stay calm, move closer and throw fast combinations. I knew there were still two rounds left, so I decided to give my 100% and fight back. After losing the first round, that punch gave me a lot of confidence. It put pressure on my opponent and helped me take control.
Coach Sharma lauded the teenager's ability to maintain discipline in hostile territory.
Ambekar’s fighting spirit and willpower stood out throughout the tournament. He is tactically excellent and follows instructions inside the ring with remarkable discipline. Even after losing the first round, he never lost belief and came back with a strong mindset. That resilience under pressure is what impressed me the most about him.
For the Manipur boxer, Dakar serves as an opening salvo. The long-term blueprint already targets the senior stage and a run at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Gunjan’s triumph in the 48kg division unfolded with clinical control. Unlike Ambekar’s high-wire recovery, Gunjan dictated terms from the opening bell against Bensalah, keeping the Algerian at the end of a sharp jab and neutralising counters before they started.
Before the final, I was focused on my game plan. I knew exactly how I wanted to box and what I needed to do inside the ring. My main aim was to have belief in myself and remain confident. It is a special moment for me and for the country. Winning this gold medal and creating history for India is a dream come true.
| Division / Metric | Athlete | Opponent / Detail | Final Result | Milestone Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 50kg Final | Ambekar Meetei (India) | Kristian Jubani (Ireland) | Gold Medal | India's first Youth Olympic boxing gold |
| Women's 48kg Final | Gunjan (India) | Bouthaina Bensalah (Algeria) | Gold Medal | India's first female Youth Olympic boxing gold |
| Indian Squad Efficiency | 17 Athletes Selected |
Both gold medallists now transition into national senior preparatory camps, carrying historic hardware and clear momentum ahead of the upcoming international circuit.
| 10 Total Medals Won |
| 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze |
| Best-ever Youth Olympic boxing haul |