Senegal’s wrestlers turn tradition into gold at Dakar Youth Olympics
Summary
Senegalese wrestlers Elisabeth Diatta and Maguette Diop each won gold in beach wrestling at the Dakar Youth Olympics. Diatta defeated Japan’s Reisa Kojima 5-1 in the girls’ 55kg final, while Diop beat Azerbaijan’s Nihad Suleymanli 4-0 in the boys’ 80kg final.Key Facts
- Sixteen-year-old Elisabeth Diatta won Senegal’s first Youth Olympic gold by defeating Reisa Kojima of Japan in the 55kg final.
- Diatta played football before she began wrestling in place of her injured older sister at a sports camp.
- Sixteen-year-old Maguette Diop won the boys’ 80kg final against Azerbaijan’s Nihad Suleymanli.
- A video review reversed a referee’s three-point award to Suleymanli, giving those points to Diop.
- Senegal’s young wrestlers trained for three months to adapt to beach wrestling.
- In beach wrestling, a takedown or forcing an opponent outside the circle earns one point; a throw onto the back earns three and ends the bout.
- The Youth Olympics ran from October 31 to November 13 in Dakar and nearby Saly and Diamniadio.
- Laamb, Senegal’s traditional wrestling, includes ceremonial dances accompanied by sabar drums and rituals for spiritual protection.
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