From the athletics track to the equestrian arena, South Africa’s young stars delivered a series of impressive performances in Dakar.
Dakar, Senegal (12 November 2026) – South Africa’s young sporting stars have given the country plenty to celebrate at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with Megan Nieman leading the charge after storming to gold in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Nieman produced a brilliant performance in the final, crossing the line in 57.75 seconds to edge Switzerland’s Mina Hirsbrunner, who finished just behind her in 57.84 seconds.
Her victory was a historic one, making her the first South African woman to win gold at the Dakar Games. It also took Team SA’s medal tally into double figures, with the country eventually finishing the competition with a record-breaking 11 medals.
And Nieman was certainly not the only South African making headlines.
Seventeen-year-old Matao le Roux delivered a golden performance of his own in the men’s high jump. The athlete from Caledon in the Western Cape cleared 2.16m to claim the title, overcoming China’s Sen Liu and Egypt’s Ahmed Mohammed in the final.
Enrique Bosch also made his way onto the podium, securing bronze in the men’s 110m hurdles after clocking 13.45 seconds in the final.
There was more reason to celebrate in the women’s high jump, where Milan Blignaut cleared 1.74m to take silver, adding another medal to South Africa’s impressive campaign.
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The achievements in Dakar are particularly special, with South Africa’s final tally of 11 medals surpassing the previous national record of nine, set at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.
From gold-medal moments to podium finishes, South Africa’s young athletes have made their presence felt in Dakar. The next generation is certainly making its mark.
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