DAKAR, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) — China’s Pan Qimiao won gold in the women’s individual sabre, while 14-year-old Wu Ziyan claimed bronze in women’s windsurfing at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Thursday.
Third-seeded Pan advanced to the fencing knockout stage with five wins and one loss in the group phase, her only defeat coming by a single point against second seed Nargiza Utebaeva of Uzbekistan.
The two met again in the semifinals, where Pan prevailed 15-13 to set up a gold medal bout against top seed Jeon Yuju of South Korea.
Pan raced to an 8-0 lead in the final before Jeon fought back to close the gap to 9-7. After changing her sabre and receiving advice from her coach, Pan regained her composure to seal a 15-10 victory.
“These Youth Olympic Games are very important. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and each team can send only one athlete. I really wanted to win gold for my country,” Pan said.
Pan, who claimed bronze in women’s sabre at the 2025 World Fencing Championships, said she hoped to help China qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In windsurfing, the cancellation of the 15th and final race due to wind conditions meant the standings were determined by results from 14 races over five days.
Wu finished third in the women’s competition behind Italy’s Laura Grasso Castagnetta and Spain’s Olivia Sanchez.
“It was my first international competition. I think I performed quite well, and winning a medal at an Olympic event is already a very good result. I will continue to work hard in training when I return home,” Wu said.
Greece’s Evangelos Kyriazakos won the men’s windsurfing gold, with Ng Hoi Tik of Hong Kong, China taking silver and Tunisia’s Rayen Briki getting bronze.
Elsewhere in Saly, China defeated Kenya 2-0 to finish seventh in women’s beach handball.
In breaking, China’s Cui Shengyu, competing as Holy Rain, advanced to the knockout stage with three consecutive wins and will face Denmark’s Ill Will in Friday’s men’s quarterfinals.
All 10 boxing gold medals were decided Thursday, while Jordan won the taekwondo mixed team title.
Argentina beat Portugal 2-1 to claim the men’s futsal gold.
The Dakar Youth Olympics conclude Friday, with five gold medals still to be awarded across beach handball, breaking and fencing.
The closing ceremony will take place at the Youth Olympic Village in Diamniadio, some 30 kilometers from Dakar. â–