Armenia Secures First Quota for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Armenia has secured its first confirmed quota place for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will be held in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The country received one place in the men’s boxing tournament in the 65kg weight category.

The boxing qualification process has been completed, with World Boxing allocating all 120 quota places among representatives of 79 National Olympic Committees. The competition will feature 60 male and 60 female athletes, ensuring full gender parity. All five continents will be represented.

Armenia Will Compete in the 65kg Category

In the published distribution of men’s quota places, Armenia is listed in the 65kg weight category. The Armenian team received one of the two primary European places available in this division. The second European quota was secured by Spain.

Armenia was represented by Suren Katvalyan in the 65kg category at the qualification tournament. He is therefore the leading candidate to compete at the Youth Olympic Games, although the final composition of the Armenian delegation must still be officially approved by the relevant sports authorities.

The men’s boxing tournament in Dakar will include five weight categories: 50kg, 55kg, 60kg, 65kg and 70kg. In the quota allocation table, Armenia’s place is listed in the “Europe 1” row of the M65 category.

Europe Receives 31 Boxing Quota Places

European countries have been allocated 31 of the 120 available quota places. Asia received the same number, while Africa was awarded 30 places, the Americas 20 and Oceania eight.

A total of 25 European National Olympic Committees will be represented in the boxing tournament. Given the limited number of available places and the high level of competition on the continent, securing one quota can be regarded as an important result for Armenia.

Algeria is expected to have the largest boxing delegation after receiving five places. Egypt and Mexico secured four quotas each, while Australia, Colombia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Senegal and Uzbekistan received three each.

Athletes’ Results Were Considered During the Selection Process

To assess the competitive level of the participants, World Boxing organised the World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok. The results were used to confirm that the athletes met the required competitive standards and safety requirements.

In addition, with the support of the Olympic Solidarity programme, World Boxing funded travel and accommodation for representatives of 23 national federations and Olympic committees. The total amount of financial assistance was $183,000.

The selection system took into account universality, the representation of continents and National Olympic Committees, the competitive level of the athletes, gender equality and the representation of disciplines.

No Information Yet About Other Armenian Quotas

There is currently no information indicating that Armenia has secured quota places in other sports for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The boxing quota in the 65kg category remains the country’s first confirmed place at the Games in Dakar.

The wrestling programme at the Youth Olympic Games will feature beach wrestling rather than the traditional Olympic wrestling disciplines. As a result, the qualification system and the field of participants will differ from those used in conventional freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling competitions.

The 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be the first Olympic sporting event to take place on the African continent.