Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics Begin: First Champions and Armenia's Results

November 1 marked the first medal day of the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Eight sets of medals were awarded — three in judo and five in swimming. The first Olympic champions represented eight different countries.

Athletes from Azerbaijan, Argentina, Egypt, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Ecuador each won one gold medal.

Athletes from former Soviet countries made a particularly strong start, claiming three gold medals. Azerbaijan's Ibrahim Talibov became the judo champion in the men's 55 kg category, Ukraine's Khazar Heydarov won the 66 kg division, while Russia's Serafima Fokina claimed gold in the women's 100 m butterfly with a time of 59.81 seconds.

First Champions of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

In judo, alongside Talibov and Heydarov, Turkey's Sema Nur Yuksel secured a gold medal in the girls' 44 kg category.

The first day's swimming champions were New Zealand's Ariel Muchirahondo (men's 200 m backstroke), Egypt's Zein Ali (men's 100 m butterfly), Ecuador's Elvira Espinosa (women's 400 m freestyle), Argentina's Cecilia Dieleke (women's 200 m backstroke), and Russia's Serafima Fokina (women's 100 m butterfly).

Host nation Senegal also celebrated a historic medal. Judoka Matar Diop claimed bronze in the men's 66 kg category.

Vladimir Varosyan Finishes 20th in the 100 m Butterfly

Armenia also began its campaign at the Youth Olympic Games on the opening day of competition.

Swimmer Vladimir Varosyan became the first Armenian athlete to compete at the Games, taking part in the men's 100 m butterfly.

In the preliminary round, the Armenian swimmer recorded a time of 1 minute 00.06 seconds, finishing sixth among eight competitors in the second heat.

Based on the combined results of all preliminary heats, Varosyan finished 20th overall, ending his participation in the event.

Armenia's next representative, swimmer Margarita Gevorgyan, is scheduled to compete on November 4 in the women's 50 m freestyle.

The Youth Olympic Games are taking place in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, 2026. These are the first Olympic Games in history to be held on the African continent.

Full results from Day 1 of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.