New Delhi: Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei on Thursday became the first Indian boxer to strike gold at the at the Youth Olympics.
The boxer from Manipur outpunched Ireland’s Kristian Jubani in the 50 kg final to script history at the Dakar Youth Olympics in Senegal.
Meetei won 3-2 on points in a closely-fought contest to claim India’s first gold medal at the Dakar Youth Olympics. Indian also have 3 silver and 5 bronze medals in the kitty so far.
Meetei had a difficult opening round, with all five judges awarding it to Jubani. He responded strongly and bravely, claiming the second round in which three of the five judges had him on top.
In the third and decisive round, Meetei earned the verdict from four judges, thereby turning the contest on its head.
India’s best in Youth Olympics boxing before this was Shiv Thapa’s silver in Men’s 54 kg category at the Singapore 2010 edition, while Vikas Krishan claimed bronze in Men’s 60 kg event at the same edition.
