French archers secured their passage to the next round at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, while the nation’s gymnastics, 3×3 basketball, and boxing teams faced elimination on Day 8, reported equipedefrance.com.
The competition, hosted in Dakar, Senegal, is showcasing young athletic talent from around the world. In archery, held at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade, French athletes Aurane Lapouge and Maël Lamouret won their respective 16th-final matches. This success contrasts with the day’s outcomes for French gymnasts, who narrowly missed a team final berth, and the 3×3 basketball and boxing teams, which were eliminated from contention.
Archery Dominance at Stade Abdoulaye Wade
Aurane Lapouge, a French champion, defeated the Czech Republic’s Anna Kadlecova in her 16th-final match without dropping a single manche. Lapouge, who started archery “a bit by chance” after practicing dance, demonstrated precision, scoring 9s and 10s on the target with all her arrows except for one in the final volée, which scored a 7. Her performance secured her a spot in the 8-finals.
“I couldn’t wait to get into the arena this morning. It’s an incredible experience. I love this competition, I’m enjoying it to the fullest!” Lapouge said, smiling. She is scheduled to face Switzerland’s Alexandra Rossier on Monday, November 9, at 10:15 AM French time.
In the men’s draw, Maël Lamouret also advanced. As the third seed, Lamouret dominated his opponent, the Ivorian Kouassi Chadrac Yao, with a convincing 7-1 score in just four manches. He will play Spain’s Rodrigo Palomo Sanchez on Sunday at 12:24 PM French time. Aurane Lapouge and Maël Lamouret are considered promising prospects for future Olympic medals.
Shanon Cabane’s Olympic Dream Ends in Boxing
Shanon Cabane was the only French athlete in action in boxing on Day 8. Competing in the women’s -57 kg category at the Dakar Expo Center, the 17-year-old from Saint-Maur-des-Fossées faced Brazil’s Sara Campos. Cabane struggled to find her rhythm and lost the match 5-0, ending her Olympic youth journey abruptly.
What’s Next at Dakar 2026
On Sunday, November 8, the French women’s gymnastics team will compete for a spot in the team final, starting at 11:00 AM French time. Later that day, Maël Lamouret will compete in the 8-finals of the men’s archery at 12:24 PM French time.
The following day, Monday, November 9, Aurane Lapouge will be in action, facing Alexandra Rossier in the women’s archery 8-finals at 10:15 AM French time.
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