Youth Olympics 2026: Gunjan wins India’s first-ever women’s boxing gold

FILE PHOTO: India’s Gunjan (second from left) beat Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah 5-0 in the women’s 48kg final in Dakar, Senegal. | Photo Credit: BOXING FEDERATION OF INDIA

Gunjan created history by winning India’s first-ever Youth Olympics gold medal in women’s boxing at the ongoing edition in Dakar, Senegal, on Thursday.

Gunjan defeated Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah 5-0 in the women’s 48kg final.

Overall, she is the second Indian boxer to win a Youth Olympics gold after Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei.

Earlier in the day, Ambekar Meetei grabbed the gold by defeated Ireland’s Kristian Jubani 3-2 in the men’s 50kg final.

“This is a historic moment for Indian boxing and Indian sport. Winning two gold medals at the Youth Olympic Games, with India also opening its gold medal account at the Dakar 2026 edition, makes this achievement even more special,” said Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh.

“These are also India’s first-ever gold medals in boxing at the Youth Olympic Games,” he added.

Before Thursday, two Indian boxers had finished on the podium at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. Shiva Thapa had won the silver medal in men’s 54kg category while Vikas Krishan bagged the bronze medal in the men’s 60kg event.