Indian boxer Gunjan entered 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 book her place in the title clash. She became the second Indian boxer to reach the final in the competition.The five judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 and 30-27, with four of them favouring the Indian boxer.Gunjan will now face Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah in the final. Bensalah booked her place in the title clash after beating Italy’s Michela Guglielmon 3-2 in a close semifinal.
Gunjan assures India of a medal
Gunjan had started her campaign with a bye in the first round and moved straight into the quarterfinals. She then defeated Mexico’s Atena Sofia Juarez Calero 5-0 to reach the semifinals and assure India of a medal.Her semifinal victory has now given her a chance to turn that medal into gold.
Meetei also enters final
Earlier, Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei became the first Indian boxer to reach the final of the boxing competition at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.Meetei defeated Colombia’s Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo 5-0 in the men’s 50kg semifinal on Wednesday. Fighting from the red corner, the Indian boxer dominated the bout and received the backing of all five judges.The judges scored the bout 28-27, 28-27, 28-27, 29-26 and 28-27.Meetei will face Ireland’s Kristian Jubani in the final. Jubani reached the title clash after beating Mexico’s Alan Jesus Ocampo Cano 5-0 in the other semifinal.
