--- title: "Senegal's Elisabeth Diatta Wins Youth Olympics Beach Wrestling Gold Medal" url: https://noti.group/senegal-s-elisabeth-diatta-wins-youth-olympics-beach-wrestling-gold/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-11-12T19:32:25.000Z updated: 2026-11-12T20:25:32.761Z id: 059552b9-b26e-40da-8867-accff729f1be source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/11/12/senegals-wrestlers-turn-tradition-into-gold-at-dakar-youth-olympics?traffic_source=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/senegal-s-elisabeth-diatta-wins-youth-olympics-beach-wrestling-gold/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Senegal's Elisabeth Diatta Wins Youth Olympics Beach Wrestling Gold Medal Elisabeth Diatta has won Senegal's first ever gold medal in beach wrestling at the Dakar Youth Olympics, defeating Japan's Reisa Kojima. A surprise victory for Senegal's Elisabeth Diatta has sparked jubilation at Dakar's Youth Olympics. The 16-year-old wrestler from Casamance in southern Senegal had never intended to compete in wrestling - her sport of choice was football. However, an unexpected opportunity led her to the sand at Saly beach on Saturday, where she took part in beach wrestling. Diatta's opponent in the 55kg final was Japan's Reisa Kojima, but it didn't take long for her to assert herself on the mat. With a lightning-fast move, Diatta seized control and pinned Kojima down with authority, securing a resounding victory of 5-1. The crowd erupted into cheers as Diatta celebrated her historic win - Senegal's first Youth Olympic gold medal in beach wrestling. The gold medal win has sparked a sense of pride and accomplishment among Senegal's wrestling community, who had initially been skeptical of the sport's potential for their teenage athletes. Diatta's determination to pursue wrestling despite her elders' reservations is a testament to her unwavering commitment. Coach Isabelle Sambou, herself a two-time Olympian, has been instrumental in guiding Senegal's young wrestlers towards success. Her own competitive days may be behind her, but she's found new purpose in mentoring the next generation of athletes and fulfilling a long-held dream of winning gold for Senegal. Diatta's historic win is not an isolated achievement; another talented teenager, 16-year-old Maguette Diop, has been quietly preparing for her own moment to shine. With three months of intense training under her belt, Diop is now ready to take on the competition and make her mark in the beach wrestling arena. The rules of traditional Senegalese wrestling differ significantly from those of its beach counterpart, with a focus on decisive falls rather than points systems. This transition has not been without its challenges for Senegal's young wrestlers, but their adaptability and resilience have ultimately paid off. The rules for awarding points in beach wrestling were well-established, with a takedown worth one point and forcing an opponent outside the circle also scoring a point. A throw onto the back earned three points, effectively ending the contest. With these rules in mind, Senegalese wrestlers like Diop had been training hard to outmaneuver their opponents. The stakes were high for Diop, who had previously competed against top talent at the under-17 world championships in Baku on August 27. Despite losing to Iran's Reza Jalilian in the semifinals, he was determined not to repeat that mistake on his home turf just two months later. The competition was fierce in the boys' 80kg final, where Diop faced off against Azerbaijan's Nihad Suleymanli, a two-time under-17 world champion. Despite the skillful wrestling of Suleymanli, Diop remained confident and focused on his goal. In a tense moment that could have swung the match in favour of Suleymanli, the referee initially awarded him three points. However, after a challenge from Diop's coaches, the decision was overturned, and the points were given to Diop instead. This reversal gave Diop a crucial lead in the match. The victory was a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Senegalese wrestlers like Diop, who had grown up with the country's traditional wrestling style, Laamb. This ancient practice was not just about physical strength but also involved spiritual rituals and prayers aimed at warding off evil spirits. In Casamance, a region in Senegal where Diatta hails from, women have long been involved in wrestling, even if men dominate professional arenas. "This experience will give girls courage and determination," said Ndeye Khady Anna Diatta, who secured her third gold medal for Senegal the following day in the 45kg category. The victory underscored the country's impressive performance at the Dakar Youth Olympics. Senegal's success on the sand has also had a broader impact, helping to break down barriers and provide role models for young African athletes. --- Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/11/12/senegals-wrestlers-turn-tradition-into-gold-at-dakar-youth-olympics?traffic_source=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/senegal-s-elisabeth-diatta-wins-youth-olympics-beach-wrestling-gold/