Yolayni Rosado makes history: First gold medal for the Dominican Republic in Olympic wrestling
The Dominican delegation is celebrating at the IV Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. Athlete Yolayni Rosado Valerio has been crowned champion in the beach wrestling discipline, 65-kilogram category, after an impeccable performance that allowed her to win the gold medal by defeating the Spaniard Gabriela Eningo with a score of 3-1 in the grand final.
This triumph not only represents the first medal for the country in this edition of the games, but it also marks a historic milestone: it is the first time a Dominican wrestler has managed to reach the podium in an Olympic event, consolidating the growth of this discipline in the national territory.
A flawless path to gold
The Dominican athlete demonstrated remarkable technical superiority by remaining undefeated throughout the competition held at Saly West beach, accumulating a total of five consecutive victories. Her path to success included the following results:
- Triumph against Antra Antra (India) 2-1 in the preliminary round.
- Victory against Jemimah Wanjal (Kenya) 4-2.
- Second match against Gabriela Eningo (Spain) in the preliminary phase, winning 3-2.
- Triumph in the semifinals against Anujin Erkhembaatara (Mongolia) with a score of 3-1.
Rosado’s performance not only earns her the gold, but also places her in a select group of Dominican athletes who have reached the ultimate glory in a Youth Olympic Games, a club that until now only included Luguelín Santos and Deury Corniel.
A growing legacy
With this gold medal, the Dominican Republic adds a total of eight medals in the history of the Youth Olympic Games, a competition in which the country has participated since its inaugural edition in Singapore 2010. The national anthem resonated strongly in Senegal thanks to the determination of Rosado, who has left an indelible mark on Dominican sports and promises to continue being a key figure for the future of wrestling in the country.
