Dominican Republic announces delegation of 11 athletes for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
The Dominican Republic is preparing to make history on the African continent with a delegation of 11 young athletes who will be present at the IV Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. The event, which will bring together the future stars of world sports, will take place from October 31 to November 13 in Senegal.
The tricolor team will participate in eight strategic disciplines: swimming, beach volleyball, sailing, boxing, wrestling, athletics, judo, and fencing. With the goal of holding the flag high, the delegation was led by the official flag bearers: judoka Carla Lisbetty Tolentino and swimmer Mauricio Espejo Peña, who have been selected for their outstanding performance and trajectory in the current competitive cycle.
Promising talent in diverse disciplines
Dominican judo places its trust in Carla Tolentino, who will compete in the -48 kg category. The athlete from Bayaguana arrives with significant momentum after winning two gold medals at the last Cadet and Junior Pan American Cup. Meanwhile, swimming will be represented by Mauricio Espejo Peña and Antonella Aybar, both specialists in the 100-meter freestyle with accumulated experience on international stages, including junior world championships.
In beach volleyball, the duo formed by Zoe Paniagua Portorreal and Yerelin Reyes Montero will seek to capitalize on their experience in the U23 Continental Tour and regional qualifiers. Meanwhile, in the sailing discipline, 14-year-old Carlos Ramírez will represent the country in windsurfing, after establishing himself as an emerging figure with titles at the Pablito Guzmán Cabarete Classic.
Strength and speed on the pitch
- Boxing: Michael Reyes (55 kg) will seek glory after qualifying at the Future Boxers World Cup in Thailand.
- Wrestling: Yolayni Rosado Valerio, a gold and silver medalist at the U17 Pan American Championships, will represent the country in the beach wrestling category.
- Athletics: Patricia Siné (200-meter dash) and Melvin Torres (400-meter hurdles) lead the track representation, both with a history of success in national and regional competitions.
- Fencing: 17-year-old Aiden Zahran will carry the banner in the épée category, backed by his recent triumphs in international tournaments held in the United States.
Participation in Dakar 2026 represents a fundamental milestone for Dominican sports, providing our youth with the opportunity to gain experience at the highest global competitive level.
Alofoke Deportes
With this representation, the Dominican Republic reaffirms its commitment to the development of its athletes, who will seek to demonstrate their talent and capacity for overcoming challenges on the most important stage for youth sports worldwide.
