The untold story of Elisabeth Diatta, Senegal’s first gold medalist at the 2026 YOG

On November 7, 2026, in Saly, Elisabeth Diatta won the under-55 kg beach wrestling final at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, defeating Japan’s Reisa Kojima five points to one. She had earlier beaten Ecuador’s Xiomara Meza and Algeria’s Ikram Bali, after placing fourth at the U17 World Wrestling Championships in Baku in August. Originally from Oussouye, Diatta credited the support of the crowd and her coaching team, and urged girls to take up wrestling. Senegal claimed a second title that day when Maguette Diop won the under-80 kg final.