Dakar (Senegal), November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian boxer Gunjan advanced to the women’s 48kg final at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics after defeating Great Britain’s Lily Bassett 4-1 in the semifinals, giving India another opportunity to secure a gold medal at the ongoing Games in Dakar.
Gunjan produced a strong performance to win on points, with four of the five judges ruling in her favour. The bout was scored 30-27, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 and 30-27.
She will now face Algeria’s Bouthaina Bensalah in the gold medal bout. Bensalah booked her place in the final after edging Italy’s Michela Guglielmon 3-2 in the other semifinal.
Gunjan had earlier dominated Mexico’s Atena Sofia Juarez Calero 5-0 in the quarterfinals to reach the last four and assure India of a medal. She received a first-round bye and entered the competition directly in the quarterfinal stage.
Gunjan’s achievement followed another impressive performance by Indian boxer Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei, who became the first Indian pugilist to reach the final at the Games.
Meetei stormed into the men’s 50kg final with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Colombia’s Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo. Competing from the red corner, the Indian dominated the bout, with all five judges scoring in his favour. The scorecards read 28-27, 28-27, 28-27, 29-26 and 28-27.
Meetei will take on Ireland’s Kristian Jubani for the gold medal. Jubani advanced after defeating Mexico’s Alan Jesus Ocampo Cano 5-0 in the other semifinal.
India had collected nine medals in wrestling and swimming by the morning session on November 11, comprising three silver and five bronze medals, according to the tally provided in the report. The boxing finalists have now given the Indian contingent two further opportunities to add gold to its medal haul.
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