Swimming at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games has delivered more outstanding performances, historic firsts and exciting finishes, as the next generation of international swimming talent continues to make its mark on the world stage.
Bobanovic leads a thrilling 100m Freestyle finish
Croatia’s Ana Bobanovic claimed gold in the Women’s 100m Freestyle in 55.89, becoming the third Croatian swimmer to win a Youth Olympic Games title.
Bobanovic was thrilled with the result. “I train every day and this means a lot, for me, for my family and for everyone who is supporting me," she said.
New Zealand’s Alyssa Lawson secured silver in 56.13 in her first race of the Games, producing a strong closing stretch to earn her first medal.
India’s Dhinidhi Desinghu took bronze in 56.27, delivering a historic first swimming medal for India at the Youth Olympic Games.
Having competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games aged just 14, Desinghu is focused on these medal moments. She has also felt the support from home, with many young swimmers looking up to her, saying: “I feel like their energy from India came into me so that I could swim today.” Desinghu is looking to continue this momentum into her next events.
Toropkin breaks 50 seconds as Chinese Taipei makes history
Russia’s Bogdan Toropkin claimed the Men’s 100m Freestyle title in 49.66, breaking the 50-second barrier and securing the coveted Gold medal.
The victory meant a lot to Toropkin who reflected “It is the result of a lot of hard work, and it was very hard to win.”
China’s 16-year-old Xie Yichen took silver in 50.18 after an excellent opening 50 metres.
Chinese Taipei’s Lee Han secured bronze in 50.26.
The result for Lee was a historic first swimming medal for Chinese Taipei at the Youth Olympic Games, a result he did not take lightly. He said after the race “I was more nervous for this competition than any other events I’ve done before.”
Japan celebrates Breaststroke double
Japan claimed its first swimming gold of Dakar 2026 in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke, with Mana Ishikawa taking victory in 2:26.50.
The 17-year-old produced an impressive performance and was very happy with the result: “to be able to win on a stage like the Youth Olympic Games has been a really great experience for me.”
China’s 15-year-old Chang Mohan, her country's Opening Ceremony flagbearer, took silver in 2:27.21, while South Africa’s Chanel Veldsman secured bronze in 2:30.87, with her time improving by four seconds in just one day.
Japan continued its success in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke, with Iori Miyazaki claiming gold in 2:12.33.
Swimming in the footsteps of his father, an Olympic competitor at Atlanta 1996, Miyazaki delivered a brilliant closing performance to secure the title. He noted Japan’s strong tradition in Breaststroke “We have very high-level Breaststroke swimmers, so we’re able to spur each other on day in, day out across various competitions. That helps to keep us strong in this event.”
Lithuania’s 17-year-old Domas Vilmas won silver in 2:13.50, while Uzbekistan’s Muhammadismail Rahmonov claimed bronze in 2:15.79, securing another historic first swimming medal for his nation at the Youth Olympic Games.
A Games of Firsts and Emerging Stars
From India, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan celebrating historic first swimming medals to Japan’s breaststroke success and Toropkin’s impressive sprint performances, Dakar 2026 continues to showcase the stars of the next generation.