Indian boxer Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei has assured India of a medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after advancing to the men's 50kg semifinals with a victory over Namibia's Abraham Kalenga.
Meetei secured the quarterfinal victory through a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) decision in the opening round. The bout was stopped after 1 minute and 57 seconds, allowing the Indian boxer to progress to the last four without completing the scheduled contest.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei reaches the men's 50kg semifinals.
Defeats Namibia's Abraham Kalenga in the quarterfinal.
Wins through an RSC decision in the opening round.
The bout ends after 1 minute and 57 seconds.
Assures India of at least a bronze medal.
Scheduled to face Colombia's Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo on November 11.
With his semifinal qualification, Meetei has guaranteed India at least a bronze medal in the boxing competition.
He is scheduled to face Colombia's Izzon Jeffrey Galea Arevalo in the men's 50kg semifinal on November 11. A victory in the contest would take him into the gold-medal bout.
Meetei's achievement adds to India's boxing campaign at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, with the Indian contingent continuing its participation across different sporting disciplines.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Meetei's semifinal qualification guarantees India a medal in the men's 50kg boxing category at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. His performance also provides India with an opportunity to compete for a place in the gold-medal contest.
