Dakar · Youth Olympic Games
Sixteen years old, and already a Youth Olympic gold medal around her neck. On Tuesday, November 10, at Dakar's Iba-Mar-Diop complex, Marie Sarr won the −55 kg taekwondo final against Tunisia's Yasmine Haouani — two rounds to one — and carried Senegal to nine medals at its home Games.
Dakar — The final unfolded in two acts: a first round taken 8–4, then a second rolled out 11–3. At 16, Marie Sarr gives Senegal its fifth gold medal of these Youth Olympic Games — and a night the Iba-Mar-Diop complex will not soon forget.
Senegalese taekwondo completed its harvest the same day: Aïda Touré leaves with bronze in the −63 kg class, after a semifinal lost 0–2 to Iran's Asal Goltapeh.
In the overall standings, Senegal now sits 6th with nine medals — five gold and four bronze. Of the 392 medals already awarded (126 gold), five African nations feature in the top 10, with Egypt leading the continent in 4th place. In the stands, one presence counted double: Bineta Diédhiou, the great reference of Senegalese taekwondo, was there to watch the next generation knock on the door.
The party continues today: beach handball quarterfinals for both Senegalese teams in Saly, and another taekwondo quarterfinal. The closing ceremony will bring down the curtain on the first Olympic Games held on African soil on Friday, November 13.
© APS — Agence de presse sénégalaiseIn practice
Event: Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games — taekwondo
Final: Marie Sarr (Senegal) beats Yasmine Haouani (Tunisia), 2 rounds to 1 (8–4, 11–3), −55 kg class, Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Also on the podium: Aïda Touré, bronze in the −63 kg class
Senegal's tally: 9 medals (5 gold, 4 bronze), 6th overall
Next: beach handball in Saly this Wednesday, November 11; closing ceremony on Friday, November 13
