Sénégal wins fourth Youth Olympic gold with men’s 3×3 basketball victory.
The Sénégal men’s 3×3 basketball team defeated Lithuania in overtime on Monday, securing the country’s fourth gold medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. This victory came just days after the nation’s wrestlers claimed three gold medals over the weekend.
Dakar Celebrates Fourth Gold
The Sénégal men’s 3×3 basketball team clinched the gold medal on November 9 in a dramatic overtime contest against Lithuania at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
The win marked the fourth time in three days that the host nation’s national anthem was played, following a performance by its wrestlers. Earlier on the same day, the Sénégal women’s 3×3 basketball team had secured a bronze medal against Egypt in a last-second comeback.
The men’s final was a tense affair, decided in the extra period. A decisive basket in the closing moments of overtime sealed the victory for the Sénégalese team, leading to widespread celebration among the crowd. “The match was so tough…
But it’s great, we won: Go Sénégal!” a fan in the arena told correspondent Léa-Lisa Westerhoff. Another supporter echoed the sentiment, saying, “It was intense, but that’s sport: we got our gold medal, so we’re happy. Sénégal rek!”
Hero of the Hour
Papa Mamadou Cissé, a high school student and the Sénégal team’s player, was the hero of the gold medal game. He scored the game-winning basket, earning him a moment of personal triumph with a medal around his neck.
Cissé, however, was quick to credit the collective effort. "I'm really happy, but the basket I scored wasn't just me; it was the whole team behind me!" he said, highlighting the team-first approach that led to their success.
Women’s Team’s Dramatic Bronze
The success of the men’s team was preceded by an equally thrilling performance from the Sénégal women’s 3×3 squad. Earlier on Monday, the women’s team secured the bronze medal against Egypt in a match with a “rocambolesque” scenario. The Sénégalaise team was trailing late in the game but managed to win in the final second, overcoming a deficit to secure their spot on the podium.
Bintou Bangoura expressed her elation. “Everyone thought it was over… I’m too happy, I can’t express it: I’m so proud of myself!” she exclaimed. Her coach, Sabelle Diatta, praised the team’s resilience. “You really have to believe to do things like this… we never give up!”
Diatta stated. She added, “We have potential, and I know that if we continue on this run, on the world stage, Sénégal is going to go far,” calling on all Sénégalais to support the growing discipline.
A Historic Week for Sénégal
This latest gold medal cements a period of success for Sénégal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The country’s medal count now includes four golds and one bronze, all achieved within a span of three days. The wrestling team secured three gold medals over the weekend, setting the stage for the basketball victories on Monday.
Senegal Athletes Look to Add More Medals
The conclusion of the 3×3 basketball competitions marks another successful chapter for Sénégal at the Youth Olympic Games. The focus now shifts to the remaining events of the Games. The Sénégal teams and athletes will continue to compete, with the hope of adding to the country’s already impressive medal haul before the closing ceremony.
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