Senegal secured its first gold medals at an Olympic event on November 7, 2026, as beach-wrestling victories in Saly launched the host nation onto the podium at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games.
Elisabeth Diatta opened the historic day by defeating Japan’s Reisa Kojima 5-1 in the women’s 55-kilogram beach-wrestling final. The 16-year-old executed a crucial three-point projection into the sand in front of home supporters, delivering Senegal its first-ever gold at an Olympic event. I was very moved when the national anthem played and I couldn’t speak. Until now, I couldn’t realize it,
Diatta said.
Maguette Diop claimed the men’s 80-kilogram title by defeating Azerbaijan’s Nihad Suleymanli 4-0. The double victory electrified spectators, bringing beach wrestling into prominence during the first Youth Olympic Games hosted on the African continent.
Other Senegalese competitors also featured prominently in the medal rounds on that Saturday. Babacar Mbaye and Elisabeth Ebedo Diatta competed in bouts for the bronze medal, where they ultimately fell short against their international opponents. Babacar Mbaye was defeated by Georgia’s Davit Mdzevashvili on a 4-1 score, while Elisabeth Ebedo Diatta lost to America’s Matilda Ann Hruby 3-2.
Ndeye Khady Anna Diatta added a third gold medal for Senegal on November 8, 2026, by defeating Mexico’s Karen Araceli Rios Silva in the 45-kilogram category after completing a five-match sweep. Ahead of the opening of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the 16-year-old wrestler shared her goal to demonstrate her ability to win medals.
I am very happy to win the gold medal. Because it was difficult for me. Since I was smaller and had to make the 45-kilogram category, I had to cut my weight and it was difficult for me,
Diatta told DW.
The young champion noted that her preparation required intense weight management after moving down to the 45-kilogram limit. She also credited her training camp alongside her coach. It’s the work of three months of training camp that has just paid off,
Diatta added, as reported by DW.
Competitors noted that the discipline’s deep local resonance helped normalize the Olympic format for athletes and fans alike, with the International Olympic Committee noting that events span across Dakar, Diamniadio, and Saly from October 31 to November 13.
Maguette Diop told DW: I knew we would have gold medals the day I learned that wrestling would be at the YOG.
Local supporters watched the matches without surprise regarding the sport’s dominance. Wrestling is the favorite sport in Senegal, so I think it’s not a big surprise for me, but still, it’s a great source of pride for the entire Senegalese population,
spectator Abdoulaye Diaw told DW.