By Prarthana Hazarika
Guwahati, Nov 13: India’s historic double gold medal triumph in boxing at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar has drawn appreciation from two-time Olympian and former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, who believes the country’s young boxers must remain focused on their performances and not get distracted by the growing attention surrounding sporting success.
Indian boxers Gunjan (women’s 48kg) and L Ambekar Meetei scripted history in Dakar, with both returning home with gold medals. India had fielded only two boxers in the competition, and both stood on the top of the podium — a significant achievement for Indian boxing.
For Akhil, however, the conversation goes beyond two individual gold medals. It is also about the larger sporting ecosystem, the contribution of different regions and the importance of nurturing talent across the country.
In an exclusive conversation with The Meghalayan Express, the former Indian boxing star highlighted the growing contribution of Northeast India to the country’s sporting achievements, emphasising that the region’s potential must be recognised beyond the success of Manipur.
“Manipur has done exceptionally well, particularly in boxing, but I am not talking about Manipur alone. I am talking about the entire Northeast. The region is doing very well in sports,” Akhil said.
The Northeast has consistently produced athletes across disciplines, including boxing, archery and hockey. While Manipur has established itself as a major boxing centre, Akhil believes the sporting achievements of other northeastern states also deserve greater recognition.
He also pointed to the changing support structure in Indian sport, recalling how institutional teams and organisations such as Tata Steel and the Railways once played a significant role in providing athletes with opportunities and platforms to compete.
According to Akhil, government departments and institutional support have been instrumental in helping sportspersons pursue their careers.
“When organisations such as Tata Steel and the Railways started supporting athletes, it created opportunities for them. Government institutions and state support have also made a difference. Such backing is important because it allows athletes to concentrate on their sport,” he said.
But it is his advice to the next generation of athletes that carries perhaps the strongest message.
Akhil believes young sportspersons must preserve their natural strengths while continuously working on their weaknesses. He cautioned against allowing outside opinions, unnecessary comparisons and the growing culture of publicity to affect an athlete’s preparation.
“Never leave your dedication behind. Work on your weaknesses, improve your game, but do not lose your own style. There will always be people who comment without understanding what goes into an athlete’s preparation. Do not allow them to disturb your focus. Continue working hard and improve every day,” he advised.
With sporting achievements increasingly bringing public attention, social media visibility and invitations to various events, Akhil also warned young athletes against getting caught up in the race for publicity.
He believes that while athletes should acknowledge genuine opportunities and engagements, they must be careful about how they invest their time.
“Do not get caught up in the PR race or run after every function. If an event genuinely contributes to your growth or helps your career, certainly be there. But do not waste your time attending programmes without understanding what they offer. Your priority must remain your sport,” he said.
For the two young Indian boxers who have returned from Dakar with historic gold medals, the achievement marks an important milestone. But Akhil’s message is clear: the real challenge begins after the celebrations.
As India looks to build on its success at the grassroots and international levels, the focus must remain on consistent performances, quality support systems and the discipline required to sustain excellence.
And for the Northeast, whose contribution to Indian sport continues to grow, the message is equally significant — recognise the talent, strengthen the support system and allow athletes to let their performances do the talking.
