IRELAND’S KRISTIAN JUBANI lost out on gold by the smallest of margins in the Youth Olympics 50kg final in Dakar, Senegal.
The 17-year-old from Crumlin lost on a 3-2 split decision to India’s Ambekar Meetei Lairenlakpam to claim silver, Ireland’s only medal of this edition of the Youth Olympics.
The first minute of the contest was frantic, with Lairenlakpam throwing caution to the wind immediately, and fighting on the front foot.
Jubani weathered the early storm well, firing off jabs and crosses and successfully keeping the fight at long range despite the pressure, sweeping the cards in the first round.
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The second started well for the Irish southpaw too, but Lairenlakpam caught him with a sharp right hand a minute in, and then followed up with another that saw the referee issue Jubani with a standing count.
Jubani did his best to win back the round on the scorecards, having his best spell of the round directly after the count, but three of the judges favoured the work of the Indian fighter.
That left the fight hanging in the balance with a round to go, but Jubani looked the more fatigued of the pair throughout a close third session.
Lairenlakpam’s high output style was enough to pip the Dubliner to the gold medal, winning the bout on three of the scorecards, while the last two judges saw the fight in Jubani’s favour.
Jubani adds the Youth Olympics silver to his medal collection, which includes a European U19 silver medal and Four Nations title this year, as well as a European U17 gold in 2025.
Former professional world champion Ryan Burnett remains Ireland’s only Youth Olympics boxing gold medallist, winning the 48kg title in 2010.
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Ireland's Kristian Jubani narrowly misses out on Youth Olympics gold
IRELAND’S KRISTIAN JUBANI lost out on gold by the smallest of margins in the Youth Olympics 50kg final in Dakar, Senegal.
The 17-year-old from Crumlin lost on a 3-2 split decision to India’s Ambekar Meetei Lairenlakpam to claim silver, Ireland’s only medal of this edition of the Youth Olympics.
The first minute of the contest was frantic, with Lairenlakpam throwing caution to the wind immediately, and fighting on the front foot.
Jubani weathered the early storm well, firing off jabs and crosses and successfully keeping the fight at long range despite the pressure, sweeping the cards in the first round.
The second started well for the Irish southpaw too, but Lairenlakpam caught him with a sharp right hand a minute in, and then followed up with another that saw the referee issue Jubani with a standing count.
Jubani did his best to win back the round on the scorecards, having his best spell of the round directly after the count, but three of the judges favoured the work of the Indian fighter.
That left the fight hanging in the balance with a round to go, but Jubani looked the more fatigued of the pair throughout a close third session.
Lairenlakpam’s high output style was enough to pip the Dubliner to the gold medal, winning the bout on three of the scorecards, while the last two judges saw the fight in Jubani’s favour.
Jubani adds the Youth Olympics silver to his medal collection, which includes a European U19 silver medal and Four Nations title this year, as well as a European U17 gold in 2025.
Former professional world champion Ryan Burnett remains Ireland’s only Youth Olympics boxing gold medallist, winning the 48kg title in 2010.
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Boxing Ireland Kristian Jubani Split decision Youth Olympics