DAKAR, Senegal — Sixteen-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu became the first Indian swimmer to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games, claiming bronze in the women's 100m freestyle on Monday.
Desinghu clocked 56.27 seconds to finish third behind Croatia's Ana Bobanovic (55.89) and New Zealand's Alyssa Lawson (56.13). The achievement marks a breakthrough for Indian swimming on the Youth Olympic stage.
Hours later, 15-year-old judoka Khushbu Rajakbhai earned silver in the women's 63kg category after losing by ippon to Germany's Jolina Reinhold just 48 seconds into the final match. The result ended India's hopes of a historic gold but secured the teenager's place as only the second Indian judoka to podium at the Youth Olympics.
Thangjam Tababi Devi remains India's only other judo medallist at the Games, having won silver in the women's 44kg category at the 2018 Buenos Aires edition.
Desinghu had earlier made history by becoming the first Indian female swimmer to qualify for a Youth Olympics final, advancing through the 100m freestyle competition earlier in the day.
The double medal haul highlighted a successful day for India at Dakar 2026, where the nation has previously produced gold medallists in shooting and weightlifting. Both Desinghu and Rajakbhai credited their performances to months of preparation and said they hoped the results would inspire more young athletes in their respective sports.
