Following a great start to the Games for South Africa’s young athletes, the coastal rower produced a strong finish to book his place in the last eight.
Senegal (03 November 2026) – South Africa’s young sporting stars continue to make their presence felt at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with another promising performance giving the country plenty to cheer about.
After swimmer Leah Markgraaff opened Team SA’s medal account with silver in the girls’ 400m freestyle and the boys’ rugby sevens side also secured a place on the podium, attention now turns to coastal rower Callum Dreyer, who has powered his way into the quarter-finals of the boys’ solo beach sprints.
The 16-year-old produced a determined performance in Monday’s knockout round, overcoming Lithuania’s Justas Domarkus to secure his place in the last eight.
Dreyer was behind after the opening run but showed impressive composure on the water, finishing strongly to clock 2:19.71 and beat Domarkus, who crossed in 2:21.43.
It was another encouraging step forward for the young rower, who is making his Youth Olympic debut alongside coach Avlyn Gallwey.
The journey to the knockout stages has already been an impressive one. Dreyer qualified fourth overall in the opening time trials, earning an automatic place in the last 16 before producing another strong performance when it mattered most.
Having made the trip to Dakar from KwaZulu-Natal, the South African now has an opportunity to take another step towards the medal races when he returns to the water on Tuesday.
With Team SA already enjoying some memorable moments in Senegal, there is plenty of green and gold excitement building around the young athletes. Dreyer will be hoping to add another chapter to that story as he takes on the quarter-finals and continues his push for a place in the next round.
SA U17 Sevens Side Strikes Silver at Youth Olympic Games
Leah Markgraaff Gets Team SA on the Medal Board
by 
