Colombian table tennis player Emanuel Otálvaro will compete for the gold medal in the men’s singles event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The final match against Japan’s Ryuusei Kawakami is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, at 1:15 p.m. Colombia time, with the winner claiming the Olympic youth championship.
The Path to the Gold Medal Final in Dakar
Emanuel Otálvaro, a 16-year-old athlete from Rionegro, Antioquia, advanced to the final after a victory in the semifinals. Otálvaro defeated Li Ki Ho of Hong Kong with a 4-1 score, securing his place in the tournament’s title match. The victory guaranteed Colombia at least a silver medal, marking the first time a Colombian representative has reached a Youth Olympic final in the sport.
His journey through the tournament has been characterized by consistent performance. Otálvaro began his campaign with three group-stage victories, defeating Lucca Lobo of Costa Rica, Noah Vitel of France, and Samuel Duffoo of Peru, all by 3-0 margins. He later defeated Spain’s Ladimir Mayorov 4-0 in the round of 16. Before the semifinals, Otálvaro progressed through the group stage undefeated and later secured a 4-1 victory over China’s Li Hechen in the quarterfinals, a match that lasted 41 minutes. Data from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) indicates that the Colombian has conceded only two games throughout the entire competition. After his quarterfinal win, he told the ITTF: Estoy muy orgulloso de representar a Colombia en los Juegos Olímpicos… También estoy muy feliz de tener a mi familia aquí, especialmente a mi madre.
Otálvaro overcomes Li Ki Ho in semifinal clash
In his semifinal clash against Li Ki Ho, Otálvaro took the first two sets 11-6 and 11-7. Although the Hong Kong representative claimed the third set 11-9, Otálvaro regained momentum to win the fourth 11-6. The fifth set proved particularly demanding for the Antioquian, who trailed 7-4 before rallying to close the set 11-7.
Top-ranked youth players meet in final match
The final represents a contest between two of the highest-ranked youth players in the world. Both Otálvaro and his opponent, Ryuusei Kawakami of Japan, are currently ranked first and second in the ITTF Under-17 world individual rankings. Kawakami earned his spot in the final by defeating South Korea’s Lee Seungsoo with a 4-2 score. The match is set to take place at the Dakar Expo Centre in Diamniadio, the venue that has hosted all table tennis events during the Games.
How to Follow the Final Online
Fans looking to watch the match live can access the broadcast through digital platforms. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will provide a stream on the official Dakar 2026 video portal. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has confirmed that the final will be available to view through their official website, ITTF.com, as well as on Olympics.com. There are currently no reports of a traditional television broadcast for the event in Colombia, making these digital platforms the primary means of following the action.
Emanuel Otálvaro reaches historic table tennis final
What is the significance of this achievement for Colombia?
Emanuel Otálvaro is the first Colombian athlete to reach a table tennis final at the Youth Olympic Games. His success at the Dakar 2026 tournament has already secured the country’s first medal in this discipline at the event.
When does the match start in local Dakar time?
While the match is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. in Colombia, it is set to begin at 6:15 p.m. local time in Senegal.
Who is the opponent in the final?
Otálvaro will face Ryuusei Kawakami of Japan. Kawakami is currently a top-ranked player in the ITTF Under-17 category and reached the final after a 4-2 win in the semifinals against Lee Seungsoo of South Korea.
Where are the table tennis matches held?
All matches in the table tennis competition for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games are being held at the Dakar Expo Centre, located in the city of Diamniadio.
