Yolayni Rosado makes history: First gold medal for the Dominican Republic in Olympic wrestling
The Dominican delegation at the IV Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 celebrates a historic feat thanks to Yolayni Rosado Valerio. The athlete was crowned champion in the beach wrestling discipline, 65-kilogram category, after prevailing with authority over the Spaniard Gabriela Eningo in the grand final.
With a final score of 3-1, Rosado not only secured the first gold medal for the country in this edition of the youth games, but also became the first Dominican wrestler to reach an Olympic podium, marking an unprecedented milestone for this sport in the nation.
An impeccable path to glory
The performance of the Dominican athlete in the Saly West arenas was perfect. Rosado completed her participation with an undefeated record of five consecutive victories, demonstrating remarkable technical and physical superiority from the preliminary phase to the decisive match.
- 2-1 victory against the representative from India, Antra Antra.
- 4-2 triumph over the Kenyan Jemimah Wanjal.
- 3-2 victory over the Spaniard Gabriela Eningo in the preliminary round.
- 3-1 triumph in the semifinals against the Mongolian Anujin Erkhembaatara.
- 3-1 victory in the final against Eningo to take the gold.
Yolayni Rosado’s achievement not only represents a personal triumph, but it also brings the total number of medals won by the Dominican Republic since its debut at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games to eight.
With this result, the fighter joins a select group of Dominican athletes who have managed to reach the top of the podium in this competition, sharing the honor with figures of the stature of Luguelín Santos and Deury Corniel. The Dominican national anthem resonated with pride in Senegalese territory, consolidating Rosado as one of the great promises of national sport.
