Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games: Kenya wins rugby sevens gold against Australia, 107 medals in three days

Kenya won the women's rugby sevens tournament at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) by defeating Australia 17-12 after extra time at the Iba Mar Diop complex in Dakar. The two teams were tied 12-12 at the end of regulation time, and it was a try scored in extra time that decided the gold, according to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS) and allAfrica.

"We came here with one goal, to win gold," said Kenyan captain Zain Hido, as quoted by allAfrica. Her team did not lose a single match throughout the tournament.

Madagascar on the podium, Senegal falls short

The Lady Makis of Madagascar took the bronze medal. Their only defeat of the tournament came against Kenya in the semi-finals. "This medal is for us, for our country!" exclaimed player Princia Ranaivoson, whose team is coached by Dina Razafindratsara.

The Senegalese Lionesses finished last in the tournament without a single victory, including a 0-27 loss to Spain. "I am proud of the girls," reacted their coach Oumar Diop, who believes his team represented the country well.

Egypt is the top African nation in the standings

At the end of three days of competition, 107 medals had been awarded in Dakar, including 33 gold and 33 silver, reports the APS. China occupies the top spot in the general standings with 7 medals, including 4 gold.

Egypt is the leading African country in the table, with 4 medals including 2 titles, the latest won in wushu. South Africa follows with 5 medals, including Callum Dreyer's gold in coastal rowing in the men's solo beach sprint event, and Chanel Veldsman's silver in the 100m breaststroke.

Other nations from the continent have reached the podiums: Burundi through Igiraneza Don de Dieu, who took bronze in judo in the under-100 kg category, and Senegal through judoka Matar Diop, who won bronze in the under-66 kg category on the very first day.

These YOG, the first Olympic Games organized on African soil, continue until November 13, 2026. For federations that rarely compete in major global events, every podium finish carries significant weight: African women's rugby sevens, long relegated far from the spotlight, has just won a youth Olympic title and a Malagasy podium finish.