Dakar, October 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A 17-member Indian contingent will compete across 11 sports at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as the country looks to build on its strong record at the multi-sport event, which begins on Saturday and runs until November 13.
The fourth edition of the Youth Olympics marks a historic milestone for African sport, with Dakar becoming the first African city to host an Olympic sporting event. Around 2,700 athletes are expected to compete across 25 sports for 153 medal events, with competitions spread across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.
The opening ceremony will be held at Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio on October 31, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for November 13.
India’s contingent comprises 11 women and six men, with several promising young athletes expected to draw attention. Fourteen-year-old windsurfer Priyanshi Patil is the youngest member of the team. She will compete in the women’s windsurfing event from November 8 to 12.
Among the prominent athletes is swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, who represented India at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She will compete in the women’s 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley events.
Badminton player Tanvi Patri, the Asian U17 champion, will represent India in the women’s singles, while Syndrela Das will compete in table tennis.
Former Asian champion shot putter Om Prakash Singh Karhana will lead the Indian delegation as Chef de Mission.
India have won 23 medals across the three previous editions of the Youth Olympics, comprising three gold, 16 silver and four bronze. The country has also secured four medals in mixed-National Olympic Committee events, in which athletes from different nations compete together. However, these medals are not included in India’s official tally.
India’s most successful campaign came at Buenos Aires 2018, where the country secured 13 medals, including three gold, nine silver and one bronze.
India’s squad for Youth Olympics 2026:
- Archery: Gatha Anandrao Khadake (women’s individual)
- Athletics: Shourya Ambure (women’s 100m hurdles)
- Badminton: Tanvi Patri (women’s singles), Dev Ruparelia (men’s singles)
- Boxing: Gunjan (women’s 48kg), Ambekar Meetei Lairenlakpam (men’s 50kg)
- Equestrian: Sresht Raju Mantena (individual jumping)
- Judo: Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada (women’s 63kg)
- Sailing: Priyanshi Patil (women’s windsurfing)
- Swimming: Dhinidhi Desinghu (women’s 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley), Tirthank Pegu (men’s 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly)
- Table Tennis: Syndrela Das (women’s singles)
- Beach Wrestling: Antra (women’s 65kg), Taniya (women’s 75kg), Anuj (men’s 70kg), Deepanshu Khokhar (men’s 80kg)
- Wushu: Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu (women’s Changquan Combined)
Indian viewers can watch the 2026 Youth Olympic Games live through streaming on Olympics.com. No live television broadcast is scheduled in India.
FOLLOW NOW
