ALYA ALMHEIRI WINS FEI TEAM GOLD WITH TEAM ASIA AT THE DAKAR 2026 YOUTH OLYMPICS
Riyan Malhan Reaches Badminton Final at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics
Omar Al Marzooqi Takes Part in IOC Athlete Role Models Programme
UAE national equestrian team rider Alya Almheiri claimed the gold medal with Team Asia in the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) team competition held during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Team South America finished second to claim silver, while Team Africa placed third and took bronze. The FEI team competition is held separately from the individual event, which forms part of the Games' official Olympic medal programme.
In the individual showjumping event, Almheiri recorded a time of 71.81 seconds with eight penalty points in a field of 24 riders from around the world. She will compete in the final round tomorrow (Friday), when the leading positions and medal winners will be decided.
Meanwhile, UAE national badminton player Riyan Malhan booked his place in the final of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after defeating China's Hong Tian Yue in the semi-finals, guaranteeing the UAE its first medal in the Games' official Olympic medal programme. He will face France's Mady Sow in the final this evening (Thursday), aiming to claim the gold medal.
Malhan kept pace with his Chinese opponent and dealt effectively with his unexpected movements in a match whose opening game extended to 24 points after the score was tied at 20–20. He then took the second game 21–13, an eight-point margin, securing either the gold or silver medal.
For her part, Alya Almheiri, a member of the UAE national equestrian team, expressed her happiness and pride at competing in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and winning the gold medal with Team Asia in the team competition. She stressed that representing the United Arab Emirates is a great honour that she cherishes and a wonderful opportunity that makes her proud.
Almheiri said that the achievement of Emirati rider Omar Al Marzooqi, who won the UAE's first-ever Youth Olympic medal in showjumping at Buenos Aires 2018, serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for her to give her best. She expressed her hope of repeating that achievement and winning a new medal for the UAE.
Speaking about her technical and mental preparations for the individual showjumping competition, she explained that she had trained and prepared as much as possible using her own horses, as well as some other horses she worked with in the UAE. She noted that the most important things in such competitions are staying calm, focusing on building trust with the horse and adapting to it quickly.
She added that the biggest challenge was having to adapt to a new horse in a very short time. She affirmed that the competition would be tough, with leading young riders from around the world taking part, and expressed her delight at taking part in an experience she had been eagerly looking forward to.
Almheiri concluded by emphasising that competing at the Olympic Games had always been one of her goals. She expressed her hope that taking part in Dakar 2026 would bring her a step closer to fulfilling her dream of competing at the senior Olympic Games in the future.
Omar Al Marzooqi, a member of the UAE national equestrian team, took part in the Athlete Role Models Programme organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) alongside the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Al Marzooqi became the first Emirati athlete to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games when he claimed silver in showjumping at the third edition, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018, which brought together 4,000 athletes from 206 countries.
The Athlete Role Models Programme features 36 male and female athletes, including Olympic champions and world medallists, representing 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports. The programme aims to support, guide and inspire young athletes participating in the Games.
These sporting figures provide sporting and mental guidance, participate in workshops and interactive sessions, and share their Olympic experiences and sporting values with younger generations.
The programme features prominent names from around the world, including French judo champion Clarisse Agbegnenou, Algerian gymnastics champion Kaylia Nemour, Brazilian skateboarding star Rayssa Leal and Egyptian table tennis player Dina Meshref.
Charlotte Thurston to Compete in Triathlon Tomorrow
Charlotte Thurston, a member of the UAE national triathlon team, will compete in the women's individual event tomorrow (Friday) at Saly West Beach in Senegal, as part of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The competition follows the sprint-distance format, comprising a 750m swim, a 20km cycling leg and a 5km run.
The triathlon competition features 64 athletes from 63 countries, a record figure reflecting the sport's growing international participation. The UAE is making its first appearance in triathlon at the Youth Olympic Games.
