Youth Olympics 2026: Tirthank Pegu honours late father, retiring coach after bronze win

Earlier, the 17-year-old had earlier narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s 100m butterfly, finishing fourth in 54.98 seconds. | Photo Credit: Screengrab/Dakar Youth Olympics

Tirthank Pegu became the first Indian male swimmer to win a medal at the Youth Olympics. He finished third in the men’s 200m butterfly final with a timing of 2:01.25.

He dedicated his medal to his late father Kunal Pegu, while saying he is now focused on making a splash in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

A medal dedicated to the one who inspired it all ✨ Tirthank Pegu on fighting till the last meter, honoring his late father, and dreaming of an Olympic final. #YouthOlympics #Dakar2026 https://t.co/Oz1p5w9TsB

— Olympic Khel ™ (@OlympicKhel) November 7, 2026

“My father was my motivation to swim. I love him, this is for him too. I always think of him before my events and races,” Pegu said after his swim in Dakar.

“I worked the whole year for this. I know I didn’t get my personal best, but this is a really big thing for me and my coach, Sandeep Sejwal. He is retiring from coach, so this medal was him too.”

Pegu spoke of how challenging the last few stretch were.

“Last meters, I was like dying, I just wanted to complete the race. I was really, really pushing through my pain because it was really, really tiring,” he shared.

Pegu now has sights set on the LA 2028 Summer Games.

“I’m hoping for really great future for myself. I want to represent India in the LA 2028 and also qualify for the finals to become the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the finals in the Olympics.

Earlier, the 17-year-old had earlier narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s 100m butterfly, finishing fourth in 54.98 seconds.

Pegu trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport. In 2025, he registered a new U-18 national record at the Junior National Aquatic Championship in Ahmedabad with a sensational time of 2:03.22.

Published on Nov 07, 2026

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