Riyan Malhan Starts Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics with Straight-Games Win over Sweden’s Felus Ding

Riyan Malhan, a member of the UAE national badminton team, opened the nation’s campaign at the fourth Youth Olympic Games, Dakar 2026, with a well-deserved straight-games victory over Sweden’s Felus Ding in Group F of the 32-player group stage. The Games are being held in the Senegalese capital from 31 October to 13 November.

Malhan delivered an outstanding performance, winning both games by the same score, 21–14, to claim his first victory in the group. He has two matches remaining against players representing Greece and Malaysia.

In judo, UAE national team member Hamdan Al Mazmi began his campaign in the under-81kg category with a well-deserved victory by ippon over Kuwait’s Ali Aljadi, advancing to the quarter-finals, where he faced Egypt’s Aly Elramly, the 2025 African Cadet Championships gold medallist and world number seven in the same category.

Al Mazmi lost his quarter-final bout by ippon, ending his campaign after a performance that showed fighting spirit and determination to deliver his best. He gained important Olympic experience that will help develop his performance and add to his expertise in future international competitions.

In swimming, UAE national team swimmer Abdullah Al Ameri clocked 56.40 seconds in the 100m freestyle, which featured 73 swimmers. He will continue his campaign tomorrow (Tuesday) in the men’s 100m backstroke.

Support and Backing for UAE Athletes

His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Executive Office, met UAE athletes and members of the delegation taking part in the Games yesterday evening (Sunday), in the presence of His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Naqbi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal.

His Excellency stressed the importance of representing the nation honourably and conveyed his sincere best wishes to UAE athletes for success and excellence in the Games.

The fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games brings together approximately 2,700 athletes competing in 25 sports, alongside 10 engagement sports. Events are taking place in three cities: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

The UAE is fielding its largest delegation in the history of its participation in the Games since the inaugural edition in Singapore in 2010, with 12 athletes competing across nine sports.

The delegation comprises Abdullah Al Ameri in swimming, Hamdan Al Mazmi in judo, Alya Almheiri in equestrian, Huda Al Ali and Khalifa Al Kaabi in archery, Sultan Al Hammadi in cycling, Charlotte Thurston in triathlon, Saeed Omar, Aisha Mohammed and Arwa Ali in athletics, Riyan Malhan in badminton, and Moaz Wael in boxing.

Riyan Malhan: I Aspire to Win Gold at Dakar 2026 and Represent the UAE with Distinction

Riyan Malhan, a member of the UAE national badminton team, expressed his pride in representing the nation at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, stressing that taking part in this Olympic event is an exceptional milestone in his sporting career and an opportunity to showcase the progress of UAE badminton on the international stage.

Malhan said: “I have worked hard to reach this stage, and my achievements at Asian level have given me great confidence in my abilities. I understand the expectations surrounding my participation, but I see them as added motivation to give my best and focus on every point in each match, with the aim of raising the UAE’s name high.”

He added: “My previous appearances at international tournaments have given me valuable experience, but the Youth Olympic Games hold a special place because they offer the opportunity to represent my country at one of the world’s leading sporting events. During my preparations, I focused on improving my physical fitness, maintaining a consistent technical level and refining the tactical side of my game, while also benefiting from competing against players from different schools and styles of play.”

Malhan pointed to the strength of the competition, with outstanding players from countries with a long badminton history, such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and Singapore. He explained that consistency, speed, physical readiness and sound decision-making, together with the ability to handle pressure and minimise errors, would be among the key factors deciding match results.

He continued: “I respect every opponent and approach each match with confidence and belief in my ability to win. I make a conscious effort to take every point as it comes and to maintain my focus and composure until the very last moment. Having two coaches with me at these Games, one of whom is my father, is also important support, as both have an excellent understanding of my abilities and playing style.”

Malhan concluded: “My ambition is to compete for the gold medal, and I will do everything I can to achieve that goal. Winning gold would be a major personal achievement and a proud moment for UAE sport. I also hope my participation will inspire more young Emiratis to take up badminton and believe in their ability to compete at the highest international level.”

Tuesday’s Competitions

Riyan Malhan will continue his campaign tomorrow (Tuesday) against Malaysia’s Lucas Lee in the badminton group stage, while Abdullah Al Ameri will compete in the men’s 100m backstroke. UAE national equestrian team rider Alya Almheiri will also begin her campaign at the Games in showjumping.

Alya Almheiri to Represent UAE in Individual Showjumping and Team Asia at Dakar 2026

The draw for the showjumping competitions at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games was recently held, confirming that UAE national team rider Alya Almheiri will take part in the individual event and the continental team competition, in accordance with the event’s approved format.

The draw placed Almheiri in Team Asia alongside riders representing China, India and Indonesia. The team will compete against the other continental teams in an event that brings together riders from different countries under a single continental banner.

Almheiri enters the competition with the ambition of delivering a creditable performance that reflects the progress of UAE equestrian sport, and of benefiting from the experience of taking part in this Olympic event, which is being hosted on the African continent for the first time in the history of the Olympic Movement.