Indian Athlete Shourya Ambure Wins Bronze at Youth Olympics After Overcoming Injury
Shourya Ambure makes history by winning bronze in hurdles at the Youth Olympics, just nine months post-injury.
Thane, November 15 (Daily Kiran) : Thane’s young athlete Shourya Ambure has made headlines by winning a bronze medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics. Her achievement not only brought pride to the nation but also broke a national record. However, her journey to this success was anything but easy. After suffering an ACL injury in December, Ambure made a remarkable comeback in just nine months.
India concluded the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics with a total of ten medals, including two golds, three silvers, and five bronzes. This marks the second-best performance in the history of the competition for India. With these two gold medals, the country set a record for its highest gold tally in a single edition of the Youth Olympic Games. Ambure became the first Indian female athlete to win a medal in athletics at the Youth Olympics, securing bronze in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles.
Ambure expressed the challenges of returning to international competition so soon after her injury. She credited her parents, coach, and physiotherapist for their unwavering support. “Typically, recovery from an ACL injury takes about a year, but with the help of my family and coach, I was able to return in nine months,” she said.
As the only girl representing India in athletics, Ambure felt significant pressure. However, she found that visualizing the race and maintaining a positive mindset helped her immensely. She noted that she achieved her personal best in all three events she participated in at the international level, which kept negative thoughts at bay.
Giving credit to her parents and coach Ajit Sir, Ambure acknowledged that her comeback would not have been possible without their assistance. Her coach has long dreamed of Olympic success.
Looking ahead, Ambure aims to compete in the Under-20 Asian Championships and the World Championships, with her ultimate goal being to represent her country at the senior Olympics. She shared an inspiring message for young athletes: “Sports teach discipline and humility. You must prove yourself every time.”
Among the 17 Indian athletes, nine returned home with medals. Swimmer Dhinidhi Desingu made history as the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
