Held from March 27 to 29, 2026, at the Diamniadio Exhibition Center, the African Judo Open Dakar 2026 concluded this Saturday on a very positive note. This international competition, which brought together athletes from 29 countries across four continents, served as a true dress rehearsal for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

Placed under the banner of sporting excellence and bringing people together, this edition allowed Senegal to confirm its ambition to become a major center of African judo and a credible player on the world stage.

Strong participation and promising performances

The various competitions, particularly those for seniors and the "Cadet Master Class" sessions, showcased a new generation of talented judokas. Several nations distinguished themselves, notably Algeria, Senegal, and Cameroon.

Algeria was strongly represented with 31 judokas, while Senegal fielded 28 athletes. Cameroon, for its part, sent four experienced judokas, eager to compete against stiff competition. Among the standout performances, 17-year-old Senegalese Sabine Mendy won the gold medal in the -47 kg category, confirming her status as a rising star of national judo.

“I am very happy with this gold medal. I thank my coach, Pape Demba Diarra, for his support. I dedicate this victory to Senegal. This competition is an important step in my preparation for the Youth Olympic Games,” she said.

A strategic test for Dakar 2026

Beyond the sporting performances, the stakes of this Open were also organizational. For the Senegalese authorities, it was a full-scale test to assess the country's capacity to host a major Olympic event. Habibou Dia, president of the communications commission of the Youth Olympic Games organizing committee, emphasized the importance of this step:

"Senegal is preparing to host, for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, an Olympic event of this magnitude. This Judo Open is a key indicator of our level of preparation and our organizational expertise."

The Senegalese Judo Federation also expressed its satisfaction. Its president, Ababacar Ngom, welcomed the results and the athletes' progress: "We have seen the emergence of young talents with strong potential. These are athletes capable of proudly representing Senegal on the international stage."

With its acclaimed organization and significant international participation, the African Judo Open Dakar 2026 has proven to be a resounding success, both in terms of sporting achievement and logistics. This event strengthens Senegal's credibility just months before this historic occasion. Through this competition, the country confirms its readiness to take on the challenge of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will mark a first for the African continent.