Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics: Beach Wrestling Schedule, Rules, and the Race for the Gold Medal

Beach Wrestling Makes a Historic Debut at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

The sporting world is gearing up for a monumental moment in Senegal. For the first time in history, Beach Wrestling will be featured at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games. This exciting addition brings the intensity of wrestling to the shores of Saly Beach West, promising a spectacle of strength, agility, and determination as young athletes compete for their first Olympic medal.

The event is set to take place over two high-energy days on November 7 and 8, bringing together 96 elite wrestlers from 52 National Olympic Committees. This is more than just a competition; it’s the birth of a new legacy in youth sports.

Weight Categories: Who is Competing for the Gold?

To ensure fair and competitive bouts, the tournament is divided into eight distinct weight classes, evenly split between men and women. Every athlete enters the sand with one goal: securing a podium finish and a prestigious medal.

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• Men’s Categories: 60kg, 70kg, 80kg, and 90kg.
• Women’s Categories: 45kg, 55kg, 65kg, and 75kg.

The Road to Victory: Competition Schedule

The competition is tightly packed, requiring maximum focus and endurance from the participants. Here is how the battle for the medal will unfold:

Day 1: November 7

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• Morning Session (10:30 – 12:30 local time): Group Stage Rounds 1 & 2 for Men’s 60kg, 80kg and Women’s 55kg, 75kg.
• Afternoon Session (15:00 – 18:00 local time): Group Stage Round 3, Semi-Finals, and the climactic medal bouts for the same categories.

Day 2: November 8

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• Morning Session (10:30 – 12:30 local time): Group Stage Rounds 1 & 2 for Men’s 70kg, 90kg and Women’s 45kg, 65kg.
• Afternoon Session (15:00 – 18:00 local time): Group Stage Round 3, Semi-Finals, and the final showdowns for the medal.

Understanding the Rules: How to Score Points

Beach Wrestling is fast-paced and strategic. To win a medal, wrestlers must master the art of the takedown within a three-minute bout. A wrestler wins as soon as they score three points.

The scoring system is straightforward:n

The Challenge System: To ensure fairness, wrestlers are granted one unsuccessful challenge during group stage matches and one specifically for the medal bouts. If the challenge is successful, the athlete retains their challenge right.

How to Watch the Action Live

Don’t miss a second of this historic debut! You can follow the journey to the gold medal live via the Olympic Channel or through the official United World Wrestling (UWW) website.

With 12 wrestlers in each weight class fighting through three grueling groups to reach the semi-finals, the intensity at Saly Beach West will be unmatched. Who will walk away with the first-ever Youth Olympic medal in Beach Wrestling?