South Africa matches five-medal Youth Olympic tally in Dakar

South Africa matches five-medal Youth Olympic tally in Dakar

Team South Africa has collected five medals at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games, matching its total from the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires and moving closer to its best-ever performance at the competition.

As reported by EWN on November 5, the team had secured one gold, three silver and one bronze medal, with more events remaining before the Games conclude on November 13.

South Africa’s current tally equals its five-medal return from Buenos Aires in 2018. However, its overall Youth Olympic record remains nine medals, achieved at the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010. Another podium finish in Dakar would take the team beyond its 2018 total.

Dreyer and Veldsman lead medal charge

The standout performances have come from swimmer Chanel Veldsman and coastal beach sprint rower Callum Dreyer.

Veldsman became South Africa’s first double medallist at the Games after winning bronze in the girls’ 200m breaststroke before securing silver in the 100m event. She finished the latter in 1:09.48, behind Japan’s Mana Ishikawa, who claimed gold in 1:08.81.

Dreyer delivered South Africa’s first gold medal in the boys’ coastal beach sprints. The young rower defeated Spain’s Diego Molina Martinez in the final, recording 2:15.65 to secure the title.

Leah Markgraaff added silver in the girls’ 400m freestyle, while South Africa’s boys’ Rugby Sevens team also finished with silver after losing 26-19 to France in the final.

The five-medal breakdown therefore stands at one gold, three silver and one bronze, with Veldsman accounting for two of the team’s podium finishes.

Why Dakar 2026 matters for Africa

Beyond the medal competition, Dakar 2026 represents a historic milestone as the first Olympic sporting event hosted on African soil.

Running from October 31 to November 13, the Games bring young athletes from across the world to Senegal, with competitions and activities spread across Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

For African sport, the event provides a major international platform for young competitors while bringing greater visibility to the continent’s sporting talent, culture and organisational capabilities.

It also creates opportunities for young athletes to gain international experience and compete against their peers from different countries.

With the competition still underway at the time of EWN’s report, South Africa had an opportunity to improve on its five-medal tally. Moving beyond that figure would mark a new milestone for the team, while the nine-medal achievement from Singapore remains the national benchmark.