The 2026 Youth Olympic Games (JOJ) in Dakar, Senegal, have seen the elimination of Gabon's Tracy Assengone from the Wushu competition. Assengone, competing in her specialty, hand-to-hand Wushu, finished 11th out of 12 participants. Her score of 7.086 points was higher than her previous day's score of 6.710 points with a stick. Despite her improvement, it wasn't enough to advance her to the next round.
The Egyptian athlete, Sondos Sonbol, dominated the competition, winning on Sunday and repeating her victory on Monday with a score of 9.106 points. The rest of the competitors scored as follows: the lowest-ranked of the top eight, Nepali athlete Rashimi Tamang, scored 6.096 points. Assengone's 7.086 points placed her just above Tamang but still far from advancing.
Assengone's elimination marks the second Gabonese athlete to be eliminated from the JOJ Dakar 2026, following Axelle Moulenda in the 200m breaststroke swimming event. The Youth Olympic Games, which began on October 31, 2026, feature seven Gabonese athletes competing in five sports. The goal for the Gabonese team is to secure at least one medal, a challenging but not impossible target.
The Gabonese team, led by Dr. Diane Chancelia Bouanga, is focused on responsibility rather than the pressure of winning. Bouanga emphasized that she does not discuss weight with the athletes but rather their responsibility to perform. The team's participation in the JOJ is seen as an opportunity for the young athletes to gain experience and exposure on an international platform.
The 2026 JOJ, officially opened on October 31, 2026, at the Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal, brings together young athletes from around the world. The event aims to promote sports, education, and cultural exchange among participants. For Gabon, the games offer a chance to assess its young athletes' capabilities and build towards future international competitions.
The elimination of Assengone and Moulenda highlights the challenges faced by Gabonese athletes in competing against top international talent. Despite these challenges, the team remains optimistic about their chances of achieving a medal. The JOJ Dakar 2026 will continue until November 6, 2026, with various events and competitions scheduled.
The upcoming election for the president of the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) is set for December 19, 2026. This development is unrelated to the JOJ but is another significant event in Gabon's sports calendar. The election will determine the leadership of Gabon's football governing body for the coming years.
Key points
- Gabon's Tracy Assengone finished 11th in the hand-to-hand Wushu event at JOJ Dakar 2026.
- Egyptian athlete Sondos Sonbol won the Wushu competition with a score of 9.106 points.
- The Gabonese team aims to secure at least one medal at the JOJ Dakar 2026.
