Senegalese wrestler Elisabeth Diatta, 16, has won gold in the women's 55kg beach wrestling competition at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, securing a historic achievement for her country.
The Senegalese Press Agency (APS) said that Diatta defeated Japan's Reisa Kojima 5-1 in the final held at Saly Beach West on Saturday, November 7. The victory gave Senegal its first-ever gold medal in Olympic history.
Diatta's achievement was particularly significant as beach wrestling made its Olympic debut at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The two-day competition brought together young athletes from different countries.
According to United World Wrestling, Kojima was the reigning U17 world champion, making Diatta's victory even more notable.
The celebrations continued shortly afterwards when another 16-year-old Senegalese athlete, Maguette Diop, won gold in the men's 80kg beach wrestling category, defeating Azerbaijan's Nihad Suleymanli. The two victories gave the host nation its first two gold medals in the beach wrestling competition at the Games.
Wrestling, known locally as laamb, has deep cultural roots in Senegal and is one of the country's most popular sports. Competitions attract large crowds, while traditional dances and sabar drums are an important part of the atmosphere surrounding the sport.
Although professional wrestling in Senegal has traditionally been dominated by men, women have also participated in the sport, particularly in the southern Casamance region, where Diatta comes from.
Speaking after her victory, Diatta encouraged Senegalese girls to believe in themselves and pursue wrestling, emphasizing that the sport is not exclusively for men.
Her coach, Isabelle Sambu, a two-time Olympian and nine-time African wrestling champion, described the achievement as an important breakthrough for Senegalese sport.
Diatta's victory has given the country a historic sporting moment on home soil while bringing international attention to a new generation of Senegalese female athletes.
