India Sends 17 Athletes to Compete at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar
India will be represented by 17 athletes in 11 sports at the Youth Olympic Games 2026 in Dakar, aiming to improve on past performances.
Dakar, October 31 (Daily Kiran) : The 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games kick off today in Dakar, Senegal, running until November 13. India is sending a 17-member team to participate in 11 different sports, aiming to build on its previous successes.
This fourth edition of the Youth Olympics marks a significant milestone as Dakar becomes the first African city to host the Olympic Games. Approximately 2,700 athletes will compete across 25 sports, vying for medals in 153 events.
The Indian contingent consists of 11 female and six male athletes. Among them, 14-year-old windsurfer Priyanshi Patil is the youngest, set to compete in the women’s windsurfing event from November 8 to 12.
Notable athletes include swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, who represented India at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She will compete in the women’s 100-meter freestyle, 200-meter freestyle, and 200-meter individual medley events. Tanvi Patra, the Asian Under-17 champion in badminton, will represent India in the women’s singles, while Cinderella Das will participate in table tennis.
The team will be led by Om Prakash Singh Karhana, a former Asian champion in shot put, who serves as the Chef de Mission.
India has previously won a total of 23 medals in the last three editions of the Youth Olympics, including three golds, 16 silvers, and four bronzes. The most successful campaign was in Buenos Aires in 2018, where the team secured 13 medals, including three golds, nine silvers, and one bronze.
The Indian team for the 2026 Youth Olympics includes:
– Archery: Gatha Anandarao Khadake (Women’s Individual)
– Athletics: Shaurya Ambure (Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles)
– Badminton: Tanvi Patra (Women’s Singles), Dev Rooparelia (Men’s Singles)
– Boxing: Gunjan (Women’s 48 kg), Ambedkar Mitei Larenlakpam (Men’s 50 kg)
– Equestrian: Shresth Raju Manteena (Individual Jumping)
– Judo: Khushboo Rajakbhai Darjada (Women’s 63 kg)
– Sailing: Priyanshi Patil (Women’s Windsurfing)
– Swimming: Dhinidhi Desinghu (Women’s 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley), Tirthank Pegu (Men’s 100m Butterfly, 200m Butterfly)
– Table Tennis: Cinderella Das (Women’s Singles)
– Beach Wrestling: Antara (Women’s 65 kg), Tania (Women’s 75 kg), Anuj (Men’s 70 kg), Deepanshu Khokhar (Men’s 80 kg)
– Wushu: Rajkumari Lanchengbi Chanu (Women’s Changquan Combined)
The Indian athletes are eager to showcase their talents and strive for excellence in this prestigious international event.
