~ By qualifying for the semi-finals, Khakh is guaranteed at least a bronze, regardless of what happens in her next fight - "Nobody was expecting me to win".
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 10.11.2026) :: The Canadian made two pieces of history when she stepped into the ring for the women's 51kg bout at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Monday (9 November).
First, she became the first Canadian woman to compete in boxing at the Youth Olympics.
Second, the 17-year-old has now become the first Canadian female boxer to secure a Youth Olympic medal after booking her place in the semi-finals.
The North American stopped Botswana's Precious Masaba halfway through their second-round fight at the Dakar Expo to advance to the last four.
Under the boxing competition format, both losing semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals, meaning Khakh is guaranteed a place on the podium regardless of the outcome of her next bout.
"I feel super proud that I get to not only represent my country, but represent my people, represent my background," Khakh told Olympics.com after her fight.
"I started boxing five years ago just for the exercise. I never even thought I would have a fight, let alone be at the Youth Olympic Games, being the first-ever Canadian female boxer," she said.
Khakh will face Azerbaijan’s Gular Huseynova in the semi-finals on Wednesday (11 November): "This was just a shakeout fight. I'm ready to get back in. I came here for gold."
Khakh's medal means both boxers Team Canada fielded for the Youth Olympic Games will return home with medals, after teammate Lisandro Garcia Rebelo also qualified for the semi-finals earlier in the day in the men's 55kg division.
Cr-Olympics
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