Future Olympic boxing stars are set for the biggest stage of their young careers as athletes from across the globe come together to box at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
This November, athletes will compete for Youth Olympic glory in the boxing competition. The event will bring together talent from every continent during one of the world’s largest multi-sport events for young people.
Here’s everything you need to know before the action gets underway.
What are the Youth Olympic Games?
The Youth Olympic Games are the world’s premier multi-sport event for young athletes, bringing together thousands of competitors from around the globe to compete across a wide range of sports.
Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), they aim to inspire young people through sport while providing athletes with invaluable experience of competing in an Olympic environment. Dakar 2026 will be the first Olympic sporting event to be held on African soil.
When and where is it taking place?
The boxing competition at the Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal from 7-12 November.
Bouts will be contested at the Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio. Quarter-finals will begin from 9 November, with all semi-finals taking place on the penultimate day, followed by ten gold medal bouts on Thursday 12 November.
Each day will feature two sessions of boxing, starting at 12:00 and 17:00 (UTC).
Who will be competing?
A total of 114 boxers from 73 nations are set to compete in the boxing tournament, with athletes contesting medals across five men’s and five women’s weight categories.
| Men | Women |
| 50kg | 48kg |
| 55kg | 51kg |
| 60kg | 54kg |
| 65kg | 57kg |
| 70kg | 60kg |
Grenyelis Garcia and Yenireé Castillo will make history by becoming the first women’s boxers to represent Venezuela in the competition, fighting in the 51kg and 54kg weight categories respectively.
Franco Leeroy Zialor, Seychelles’ sole boxer and one of four athletes representing the nation at Dakar 2026, will compete in the men’s 60kg category after taking up the sport only three years ago.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s Ali Zaheer Changezi is a U17 European bronze medallist who will compete in the men’s 55kg division. Known as “Prince” Ali, he recently joined the Swedish team at the World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, where he continued his preparations through training and sparring.
Why is it important?
The Youth Olympic Games have a proven track record of showcasing future champions by providing a world-class opportunity for the next generation of boxers.
Many former competitors have gone on to enjoy successful careers at senior international level, including World Boxing Athletes Committee Chair, Caitlin Parker, who earned bronze at the 2014 Youth Olympics before earning the same medal ten years later at the Paris Olympics.
How to watch
Fans can watch every bout live through the World Boxing website, where the official stream will be available throughout the competition.
How to follow along
Live results, draw sheets, schedules and standings will be available throughout the competition via Xempower.
Follow World Boxing’s social media channels to keep up with future events: