Jorhat’s Tirthank Pegu scripts history with bronze medal at Dakar Youth Olympics

Guwahati, Nov 8: Assam swimmer Tirthank Pegu won a bronze medal in the men’s 200m butterfly at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal on Friday, becoming the first Indian male swimmer to win a medal at the prestigious competition.

The 17-year-old from Jorhat clocked 2:01.25 (two minutes and 1.25 seconds) in the final to finish third. Egypt’s Zain Ali won the gold medal in 1:57.88, while Vietnam’s Duong Van Hoang Quy claimed silver in 2:00.32.

Tirthank’s achievement also made him only the second sportsperson from Assam to win a Youth Olympic Games medal, after boxer Shiva Thapa, who clinched silver at the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010.

Speaking after the event, Tirthank dedicated the medal to his late father, Kunal Pegu, who was his biggest inspiration and supported him throughout his swimming career.

“My father was my motivation to swim. So, I love him and this is for him too. I’m feeling really great. I always think of him before my events, my race and everything,” he said.

Kunal Pegu died of a heart attack in Chennai during the 2024 Khelo India Youth Games while watching his son compete.

Tirthank also dedicated the medal to his coach Sandeep Sejwal, under whom he trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari, Karnataka.

“This medal was for Sandeep Sejwal sir specially and my late father,” he said, referring to Sejwal’s decision to retire from coaching.

Tirthank had narrowly missed another podium finish in Dakar, securing fourth place in the men’s 100m butterfly with a timing of 54.98 seconds, just 0.27 seconds short of the bronze medal.

A junior national record holder, Tirthank began his swimming journey at the Jorhat Swimming Society pool and has been competing in national events since 2021-22.

He won a silver medal in the men’s 200m butterfly at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in 2025.

He earlier trained at the Delhi centre of Sports Authority of India before moving to IIS.

The bronze medal has also strengthened his ambition of representing India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“I want to represent India in LA 2028 and also qualify for the finals to become the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the finals in the Olympics,” he said.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the swimmer, describing his achievement as a moment of pride for the State and the country.

“Assam’s son has made history! Heartiest congratulations to Tirthank Pegu on becoming the first Indian male swimmer to win a Youth Olympic Games medal,” Sarma said in a social media post.

“A moment of immense pride for Assam as one of our own makes the nation shine on the global stage. Keep soaring, Tirthank,” the Chief Minister added.