India, Nov. 12 -- Boxer Lairenlakpam Ambekar Meetei created history at the Youth Olympics in Dakar on Thursday, winning India's first-ever gold medal in his sport. The 50kg pugilist defeated Ireland's Kristian Jubani 3-2 in a closely-contested 50kg final.

Ambekar's gold is India's first at the ongoing edition in Dakar. The triumph marks a landmark moment for Indian boxing at the Youth Olympics, with Shiva Thapa's (60kg) silver medal at the 2010 Games being the country's previous best performance in the sport. Vikas Krishan won a bronze in the same edition in Singapore.

The 17-year-old enjoyed a dominant run to the final, stopping Namibia's Abraham Kalenga in the first round of their quarter-final bout before registering a comprehensive ...