Senegalese judokas Aïcha Diop and Rokhaya Ndiaye have advanced to the finals of the 2026 African Cadet Judo Championships, currently underway in Morocco. The competition, which began on July 22, features athletes from across the continent in the under-18 category.
The Senegalese delegation includes 15 judokas competing in various weight classes. Diop and Ndiaye's performances highlight Senegal's growing strength in youth judo, with both athletes securing victories in their respective categories to reach the gold medal matches.
The African Cadet Championships serve as a key qualification event for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal. The Youth Olympics are scheduled to take place from October 22 to November 9, 2026, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa.
Senegal's judo federation has invested heavily in youth development programs, aiming to build on the country's tradition of success in the sport. The finals are expected to take place later this week, with Diop and Ndiaye seeking to bring gold medals back to Dakar.
