Youth Olympics: Ambekar, Gunjan storm boxing semis, give India two medals

Gunjan (red) and Ambekar (blue) with the coaching staff. (Photo credit: BFI) NEW DELHI: India’s boxing campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics got a major boost on Tuesday as Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei and Gunjan stormed into the semi-finals of their respective categories to secure two medals for the country.Ambekar produced a commanding performance in the men’s 50kg quarter-finals, stopping Namibia’s Abraham Kalenga in the opening round of the referee stoppage competition (RSC). The match was stopped at 1 minute 57 seconds, with the Indian securing a place in the last four without allowing the contest to slip away.Gunjan followed that up with an equally impressive performance in the women’s 48kg category, defeating Mexico’s Atena Sofia Juarez Calero 5-0 in her quarterfinal bout. The unanimous decision put her through to the semi-finals and confirmed India’s second boxing medal of the Games.With both boxers advancing to the medal rounds, India is now assured of at least two bronze medals in the competition.

Ambekar faces a Colombian opponent in the semi-finals

Ambekar’s emphatic victory underlined his dominance in the quarter-finals as he closed out the match in the opening two minutes. The Indian will now take on Colombia’s Izzon Jeffrey Areval in the men’s 50kg semi-final on Wednesday, with a spot in the gold medal game up for grabs.The young boxer will look to carry the momentum from his quarter-final appearance into the last four encounters as he looks to move closer to the top of the podium.Gunjan, meanwhile, will also be looking to build on his comprehensive 5-0 win over Juarez Calero when he steps into the ring for his semi-final bout. Her commanding display ensured that India added another medal to their boxing list.

India is aiming to improve its Youth Olympic Games record

Two boxing medals add to India’s campaign at the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games held in Dakar, Senegal. The event is a landmark event for African sport, with Dakar becoming the first African city to host an Olympic sporting event.The Indian contingent has won eight medals at the Dakar so far: three silver and five bronze.India’s most successful campaign came at Buenos Aires 2018, where the contingent won 13 medals, including three gold, nine silver and one bronze.