Indian boxer Gunjan advanced to the women’s 48kg final at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal, on Wednesday, keeping India’s hopes of winning a gold medal alive.
Gunjan defeated Great Britain’s Lily Bassett 4-1 in the semifinal to become the second Indian boxer to reach the final of the competition.
The five judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 and 30-27, with four judges favouring the Indian pugilist.
Gunjan will face Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah in the final. Bensalah secured her place in the title clash with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Italy’s Michela Guglielmon.
Earlier, Gunjan had defeated Mexico’s Atena Sofia Juarez Calero 5-0 in the quarterfinals to enter the semifinals and assure India of a medal. She received a first-round bye and advanced directly to the quarterfinal stage.
Meanwhile, Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei became the first Indian boxer to reach the men’s 50kg final at the Dakar Games. He registered a dominant 5-0 victory over Colombia’s Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo in the semifinal on Wednesday.
Competing from the red corner, Meetei secured a unanimous decision, with the five judges scoring the bout 28-27, 28-27, 28-27, 29-26 and 28-27 in his favour.
Meetei will face Ireland’s Kristian Jubani in the final. Jubani booked his place in the title clash after defeating Mexico’s Alan Jesus Ocampo Cano 5-0 in the other semifinal.
India have so far secured nine medals at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics, including three silver and five bronze medals, from competitions in wrestling and swimming, as of the morning session on Wednesday (November 11).
(IANS Inputs)
