“Matar Diop had opened the way in judo with bronze. Élisabeth Diatta and Maguette Diop have just extended it in gold, in beach wrestling, at Saly, in front of their home crowd,” President Bassirou Diomaye Faye wrote in a message published on social media.
Senegal claimed its first gold medals of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, during a historic day of competition on the sand at Saly, Le Soleil reported.
Gold Medals Secured in Beach Wrestling
The host nation’s golden breakthrough came in the beach wrestling arena, where Élisabeth Diatta and Maguette Diop swept their respective weight classes. Diatta triumphed in the under-55kg category, defeating Japan’s Reisa Kojima in the final match.
Moments later, Maguette Diop followed suit in the under-80kg division. She secured a 4-0 victory against Nihad Suleymanli of Azerbaijan to seal Senegal’s second gold medal of the afternoon.
These victories build upon the nation’s opening podium finish earlier in the competition. On Nov. 1, 2026, judoka Matar Diop earned a bronze medal in the under-66kg category, capturing Senegal’s first medal of these youth games, which mark the first time the Olympic event has been hosted on the African continent.
Presidential Praise for Historic Youth Olympic Performances
The three medalists drew immediate praise from the nation’s leadership. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye posted on social media that the athletes’ achievements are important for Senegalese sport.
“Three young people from Senegal are bringing our country into Olympic history, with our national sport at the summit,” the head of state wrote.
The president extended formal congratulations to Diatta, Diop, and Diop, while also acknowledging the vital support of their coaches and families. “All my congratulations to Élisabeth, Maguette, and Matar, to their trainers and their families. Senegal is proud of you,” he added.
