Boxer Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei made history at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on Thursday, becoming the first Indian boxer to win a gold medal at the event. The 17-year-old from Imphal East district in Manipur defeated Ireland's Kristian Jubani 3-2 in the men's 50kg final, bettering Shiva Thapa's 2010 silver as India's previous best in the sport.

Ambekar's gold was India's first of the ongoing Dakar edition and lifted the country's overall medal tally to nine, comprising one gold, three silver and five bronze, with India placed ninth in the standings. He had earlier stopped Namibia's Abraham Kalenga in the first round of their quarter-final and beaten Colombia's Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo 5-0 in the semi-finals. In the final he lost the opening round on all five cards to the reigning European U17 champion, then came back with the second round and a flurry of punches in the last to take the decision.S1S2

Ambekar took up boxing at nine at the urging of his uncle, who felt his physique suited the sport. His father runs a small eatery on the Imphal highway and struggled to support his aspirations, and the boxer has not been home in close to a year because he cannot afford flights and considers the train unsafe amid the situation in Manipur. He trains at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and was scouted by the army earlier this year, with a permanent job promised after he crosses 17.5 years of age.S1

The medal came alongside wider success for Indian youth athletes in Dakar. Shourya Ambure won bronze in the women's 100m hurdles, Taniya took silver in women's 75kg wrestling, and Dhinidhi Desinghu became the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals at a single edition of the Games with two swimming bronzes. Gunjan was also due to contest the women's 48kg boxing final on Thursday night, with the chance to add a second gold.S1S2