Yolayni Rosado wins gold at Dakar 2026 and makes history for Dominican wrestling

Dominican wrestler Yolayni Rosado Valerio, 17, won the gold medal in beach wrestling in the 65-kilogram category on Sunday at the IV Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, in Senegal, writing a historic page for Dominican sports.

Rosado beat Spain's Gabriela Eningo 3-1 in the final, held on Saly West beach, and closed the tournament undefeated, with five wins in five bouts. In the semifinals she had beaten Mongolia's Anujin Erkhembaatar 3-1.

With this victory, the young athlete from Villa Faro became the first Dominican wrestler to reach the podium at an Olympic Games, according to the Dominican Olympic Committee. It is the Dominican delegation's first medal at this edition and the country's eighth in the history of the Youth Olympic Games, since its debut in Singapore 2010.

Rosado joins Luguelín Santos and Deury Corniel as the only Dominicans with gold at these youth games. The Dominican Republic is competing in Dakar with 11 athletes in eight sports, and the Games run until Friday, November 13.

Photo: La Revista Diaria

Source: El Zafacón