A bye into the last eight
Shukurat Mayowa has been granted a bye straight into the quarter-finals of the women's 48kg boxing competition at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The 17-year-old will meet whoever prevails in Sunday's preliminary contest pitting Bouthaina Bensalah of Algeria against Pemika Payungkasem of Thailand, a bout listed as Bout 17 on the afternoon programme.[S1][S2][S3]
Mayowa is the only boxer wearing Nigerian colours at the multi-sport gathering in Senegal. Her place at the Games followed a strong showing at the 2025 Africa Youth Games held in Luanda, Angola.[S1]
When Mayowa steps into the ring
Her bid for gold opens on Tuesday, November 10, at DEX Pavilion C within the Dakar Expo Centre. Although the boxing programme begins on Saturday, November 7, the Nigerian will not appear in the ring until that quarter-final.[S1]
Should she win, a semi-final on Wednesday, November 11, would follow, and the gold medal bout is set for Thursday, November 12.[S1]
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Nigeria's wider medal push
Nigeria is still hunting a first podium finish in Dakar after its beach volleyball, table tennis and swimming campaigns ended. Boxing, cycling and athletics now carry the country's remaining hopes.[S1]
Cycling and athletics get under way on Sunday, November 8. Ringnan Danjuma, 17, rides the women's individual time trial, while nine track and field athletes represent Nigeria across several events.[S1]
Gift Bright runs the men's 100m and Obanla Ehuwa contests the men's high jump. Faith Ezechukwu takes on the women's 400m and Rita Chisom Ezeh the 400m hurdles, while Godswill Nkemakolam throws in the men's javelin. Rosemary Nwankwo and Treasure Omosivwe line up in the women's 100m and 100m hurdles respectively, Gift Oghenerunor races the men's 400m hurdles and Praise Ugoh completes the group in the women's shot put.[S1]
