Kenya makes history: the Lionesses take gold in Dakar!

Dakar (Senegal), November 3, 2026. At the Iba Mar Diop complex, the women's rugby sevens final of the Youth Olympic Games tipped into history. Australia, the favourites, had beaten Kenya in the pool stage that very morning (17-5) and still led 12-5 in the final; the Rising Lionesses fought back through tries by their captain Zain Hido and Josephine Kerubo, levelling at 12-12 to force extra time.

It took just 87 seconds of extra time: Mitchelle Chemtai scored the golden try, the one worth an Olympic title. Kenya won 17-12 and became the first African nation crowned Youth Olympic champion in rugby sevens, across all categories. It is also the first Olympic title won by a Kenyan team-sport side — and Kenya's first gold medal of Dakar 2026.

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Watch the final on the official Olympics channel.

Madagascar, Africa's other podium

Africa's triumph was already under way before the final: beaten by Kenya in the semi-final (15-5; Kenyan tries by Evalyne Afande and Micheal Mmboga twice, Madagascar's try by Sariaka Raveloarisoa), Madagascar took the bronze medal by beating Czechia 26-10 — the tournament's first African podium. Two African nations on the Olympic rugby sevens podium: Dakar 2026 will remain a turning point for the continent's rugby.

A sporting celebration for the history books

The Youth Olympic Games are a celebration — the sporting celebration of the world's youth, hosted by Dakar until November 13. This Lionesses title, snatched in the last seconds of extra time, is already one of its finest stories: an under-18 team overturning the favourites and carrying a whole continent into the Olympic record books of its sport.