Seventeen-year-old swimmer Tirthank Pegu from Assam won a bronze medal in the men’s 200m butterfly at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal on November 6, becoming the first Indian male swimmer to secure a medal at the competition. Pegu clocked 2:01.25 in the final to finish third behind Egypt’s Zain Ali (1:57.88) and Vietnam’s Duong Van Hoang Quy (2:00.32).
His achievement marked a significant milestone for Indian swimming and made him the second sportsperson from Assam to win a Youth Olympics medal, after boxer Shiva Thapa’s silver in 2010. His coach, Sandeep Sejwal, said the youngster had the potential to win gold or silver but described the bronze as a major achievement and expressed confidence in his future international career.
Historic First
Pegu’s bronze was particularly significant because India had not won a swimming medal at the Youth Olympic Games before the 2026 edition. The 17-year-old secured his place in the final after finishing third in his heat with a timing of 2:05.30. He subsequently delivered a stronger performance in the final, clocking 2:01.25 to claim the third position on the podium.
Egypt’s Zain Ali won the gold medal in 1:57.88, while Vietnam’s Duong Van Hoang Quy secured silver with a timing of 2:00.32. Although Pegu finished behind the two swimmers, his performance established a new milestone for the country in an international competition that brings together promising young athletes from across the world.
Many congratulations to Assam’s Tirthank Pegu on becoming the first Indian male swimmer to win a Youth Olympic Games medal. 🥉 An absolute delight to see India shining in sports on global stage, with the Northeast’s incredible pool of talent bringing home glory and making the nation proud!
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) November 7, 2026
Journey To Dakar
Hailing from Jorhat in Assam, Pegu began his swimming journey at the Jorhat Swimming Society pool. He has been competing in Indian swimming since 2021-22 and currently trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari, Karnataka.
His progress has been supported by consistent participation in national and international competitions. In 2025, he won silver in the men’s 200m butterfly at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, establishing himself as a promising talent in the event. He also received the NRL Promising Sportsperson cash award, instituted by the Sports Journalists Welfare Association of Assam, in recognition of his sporting potential.
In March 2026, Pegu won bronze in the 200m butterfly at the Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships, recording a personal best of 2:00.96. The performance provided an encouraging indication of his preparation ahead of the Youth Olympics.
According to his coach, Pegu subsequently underwent an eight-week training programme in Europe, which included a three-week high-altitude camp in Spain and another three weeks of preparation in Scotland. He also trained alongside experienced Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash. Sejwal said the programme was designed to provide international exposure and prepare him for the demands of the competition in Dakar.
Beyond The Medal
Pegu’s campaign in Senegal also included a fourth-place finish in the men’s 100m butterfly, where he clocked 54.98 seconds and narrowly missed the podium. The disappointment, however, did not prevent him from returning to the pool with renewed focus for his principal event, the 200m butterfly.
Sejwal said the five-day gap between the two events helped the swimmer recover. Although the initial two days after his 100m performance were difficult, Pegu subsequently trained well and remained focused on the next race.
His bronze also carried significance for Assam. Before Pegu, boxer Shiva Thapa had won a silver medal at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010. The latest achievement therefore adds another international sporting milestone to the state’s record.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Tirthank Pegu’s achievement is a reminder that sporting excellence can emerge from every corner of India when young talent receives the right opportunities, coaching and encouragement. His journey from a swimming pool in Jorhat to an international podium deserves recognition beyond the medal itself.
However, celebrating individual achievements must also encourage long-term investment in grassroots sports, accessible swimming facilities and sustained support for athletes from smaller towns. Young sportspersons should not have to depend solely on exceptional circumstances to access quality training and international exposure. Their potential deserves consistent institutional support.
How can India make sporting opportunities more accessible to talented children across smaller towns and rural communities?
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