The Youth Olympic Games concluded in Dakar on Friday, November 13, following a 15-day competition that showcased a new generation of athletes.
For performers like Japanese swimmer Mana Ishikawa and American skateboarder Julian Jeang-Agliardi, these games served as a proving ground for potential appearances at the 2028 Los Angeles or 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Swimming provided some of the most historic performances of the Dakar event. Mana Ishikawa secured four individual gold medals, winning the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke, alongside the 200m individual medley. Her four titles are more than any individual has won in the history of the Youth Olympic Games.
In the butterfly events, Egypt’s Ali Zain claimed gold across the 50m, 100m, and 200m distances. Meanwhile, Ariel Muchirahondo, a New Zealander of Zimbabwean descent, concluded his campaign with two gold medals in the 100m and 200m backstroke and a silver in the 200m individual medley.
Athletics and Taekwondo Records
Egyptian thrower Yahya Sawab set a new Youth Olympic record and an African U18 record in the discus, reaching a distance of 68.23 meters. He finished nearly two meters ahead of Jamaica’s Kamari Kennedy, who took silver with a throw of 66.31 meters.
On the track, Rosemary Nwankwo continued a Nigerian sprint tradition by winning the 100m. Her victory marks the third time a Nigerian athlete has claimed the distance at the Youth Olympics, following successes by Josephine Omaka in 2010 and Rosemary Chukwuma in 2018.
In the taekwondo arena, Senegal’s Marie Sarr won gold in the under-55 kg category after two years of intensive preparation. Germany’s Luna Fellinger dominated the under-63 kg class, dropping only a single round during the tournament and defeating the reigning junior world champion, Ayşe Işık of Turkey.
Skateboarding Ambitions
For 16-year-old Julian Jeang-Agliardi, the Dakar gold in street skateboarding is the first step toward a larger goal. Following his victory, he confirmed his intent to pursue a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “I’m going to start dreaming about it; I will definitely work to get there,” Jeang-Agliardi told Olympics.com.
Senegalese Success in Beach Wrestling
The host nation celebrated three gold medals in beach wrestling. Élisabeth Diatta secured the title in the 55 kg division, followed by victories from Maguette Diop in the 80 kg class and Ndèye Khady Anna Diatta in the 45 kg event.
French Rugby Players Win Gold Through Family Heritage
The rugby sevens tournament featured a French squad anchored by sons of former international players. Pablo Garbajosa, son of 1999 World Cup runner-up Xavier Garbajosa, captained the team to a gold-medal win against South Africa. The roster also included Jules Vermeulen, son of 2007 Six Nations winner Elvis Vermeulen, and Gaspard and Simon Laharrague, sons of former French internationals Julien and Nicolas Laharrague.
In the women’s competition, the Kenya team defeated Australia to win gold. Madagascar’s “Maki Ladies” earned bronze, marking the second Olympic medal in the country’s history. A member of the Madagascar staff reported to RFI that financial constraints often limit the players’ daily resources, but their success was driven by mental resilience.
The futsal tournament saw Morocco claim the bronze medal after a victory against Afghanistan.
Ces athlètes tournent désormais leur attention vers le niveau senior, avec les Jeux de Los Angeles qui pourraient constituer une scène précoce à conquérir pour cette génération ayant concouru à Dakar.
Worth a look
