Taniya wins silver in beach wrestling at Youth Olympics in Dakar
The Indian wrestler became the first person from the country to win a beach wrestling medal at the Youth Olympic Games.
Taniya won a silver medal in the women's 75kg beach wrestling category at the Youth Olympic Games 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday, according to the Times of India. The achievement marks the first time an Indian has won a medal in beach wrestling at the global multi-sport event, which is making its debut at these Games.
In the gold medal bout held at the Saly Beach West venue, Taniya lost 1-2 to China's Min Zhao. Zhao, who won the women's 69kg freestyle title at the 2025 U17 World Wrestling Championships, secured the victory by points (VPO) after Taniya took an early 1-0 lead.
Taniya reached the final following an unbeaten run through the group stages and knockout rounds. She defeated Germany's Mia Bauer 3-1, Greece's Vasiliki Karavanou 3-0, and Estonia's Merily Vaester 4-1 to top Group B. In the semi-finals, she defeated the United States' Matilda Hruby 3-1.
The silver medal brought India's total medal count at the Dakar Games to seven, consisting of three silver and four bronze medals. Other Indian silver medallists include Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada in women's 63kg judo and Tanvi Patri in women's singles badminton.
India's bronze medalists include swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, who won two medals in the women's 100m and 200m freestyle events, Tirthank Pegu in the men's 200m butterfly, and Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu in the women's changquan combined wushu event.