Music, dancing and a roaring crowd gave Saly Beach West a party atmosphere. In a country where wrestling is a national passion, the hosts supplied two of the day’s four champions, with Diop dancing in the ring after securing gold.

The historic first session began with boys’ group matches on two rings. Iran’s Amirali Domirkolaei defeated Portugal’s David Barreira Conde at 60 kg, while Greece’s Konstantinos Mourtzilakis beat Reza Jalilian at 80 kg. Both Iranian wrestlers would return for medals that afternoon.

Venezuela’s Wilfredo Rodriguez Gonzalez became Beach Wrestling’s first Youth Olympic champion. Just 15, he defeated Domirkolaei 4–0 in the 60 kg final, denying the reigning U17 world bronze medallist gold. Georgia’s Davit Mdzevashvili claimed bronze with a 4–1 victory over Senegal’s Babacar Mbaye.

Then came the moment the home crowd had been waiting for.

Diatta defeated Japan’s reigning U17 world champion Reisa Kojima 5–1 to win the girls’ 55 kg title, sparking joyous celebrations in the stands. Fourth at this year’s U17 World Championships, the Senegalese wrestler delivered gold on home sand as Africa hosted its first Olympic sporting event.

DR Congo’s Stephie Tsimba Manzanza completed the podium, beating Azerbaijan’s Gunel Karimli 3–1 for bronze.

Diop’s gold came after a dramatic challenge in the boys’ 80 kg final. Azerbaijan’s two-time U17 world champion Nihad Suleymanli was initially awarded three points, but Diop challenged the decision. The review reversed the call, awarding the three points to the Senegalese wrestler and sealing a 4–0 victory. Diop broke into a dance in the ring as the packed stands erupted.

Fourth at the U17 Worlds, Diop joined Diatta in turning a near miss on the world stage into Youth Olympic gold. Iran’s U17 world silver medallist Jalilian took bronze, defeating Mourtzilakis 4–2 to reverse his morning loss.

China’s Zhao Min provided the final drama, scoring in the closing seconds to beat India’s Taniya 2–1 for girls’ 75 kg gold. Reigning U17 world champion Matilda Hruby of the United States secured bronze with a 3–2 win over Senegal’s Elisabeth Ebedo Diatta.

For Beach Wrestling, the opening day offered a vivid introduction to the Youth Olympic stage: emerging athletes, international competition and a crowd that celebrated every home success at full volume.

Four more champions will be crowned on Sunday in boys’ 70 kg and 90 kg and girls’ 45 kg and 65 kg, as the next generation continues a journey that could lead from Dakar to the Beach Wrestling World Series.

Results Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026

WOMEN 55 kg
1- Elisabeth DIATTA, SEN
2- Reisa KOJIMA, JPN
3- Stephie MANZANZA, COD

Results WOMEN 75 kg
1- Min ZHAO, CHI
2- Taniya TANIYA, IND
3- Mathilda HRUBY, USA

Results MEN 60 kg
1- Wilfredo RODRIGUEZ, VEN
2- Amirali DOMIRKOLAEI, IRI
3- Davit MDZEVASHVILI, GEO

Results MEN 80 kg
1- Maguette DIOP, SEN
2- Nihad SULEYMANLI, AZE
3- Reza JALILIAN, IRI