Dakar · Youth Olympic Games
Three Times Gold on the Sand of Saly: Beach Wrestling Makes Senegal a Giant of Dakar
The sand of Saly has become Senegal's field of gold. On Sunday, Ndèye Khady Anna Diatta won the −45 kg beach wrestling final and gave the host country its third gold medal of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games — capping a historic first week for Senegalese sport.
Dakar (Senegal), November 9, 2026. Five bouts, five wins: Ndèye Khady Anna Diatta's run brooked no argument. In the semi-final, the Senegalese wrestler dispatched Colombia's Valery Edith Rubio Torres (3-0); in Sunday's final in Saly, she beat Mexico's Karen Araceli Rios Silva (3-1) to top the −45 kg beach wrestling podium. Dakar has its new queen of the sand.
A double, then a treble
Senegalese beach wrestling lived a dream weekend. On Saturday, Élisabeth Diatta and Maguette Diop had already struck gold; on Sunday, Diouf added the −90 kg bronze, beating Brazil's Allan Smith. In two days, the discipline brought Senegal three gold medals and one bronze — the harvest of a team that made Saly beach its kingdom.
Senegal seventh, Africa in the game
After one week of competition, Senegal sits 7th in the overall standings with five medals — three gold, two bronze. Ahead, China leads (17 medals, 11 gold), followed by Japan (16 medals, 9 gold) and Russia (10 medals, 6 gold). Egypt remains Africa's top nation, 4th overall with eight medals including five gold. And Africa shines everywhere: Nigeria in the 100 metres, Kenya in the 3,000 metres, Egypt again in taekwondo. The Games run until November 13 — and Dakar may not be done counting gold.
In practice
Event : Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games — until November 13, 2026
The tally : three gold medals and one bronze for Senegal in beach wrestling
Senegal : 5 medals (3 gold, 2 bronze) — 7th in the overall standings
The golden discipline : Beach wrestling, in Saly: 3 gold and 1 bronze in two days
