China's Zhao Min wins women's 75kg beach wrestling gold at Youth Olympics

Zhao Min (L) of China competes against Taniya Taniya of India the women's 75kg gold medal match of beach wrestling at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Saly, Senegal, on Nov. 7, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

DAKAR, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhao Min clinched the gold medal in the women's 75kg beach wrestling at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Saturday, securing China's 10th gold of the Games.

Facing India's Taniya in the final, Zhao conceded the opening point but quickly leveled the score. Zhao secured the decisive point with just 1.2 seconds left to claim the gold.

"Maybe I rested too long after the semifinal," Zhao said. "In those last few seconds, I wasn't thinking about anything, just fighting."

The 16-year-old Zhao topped her group with three straight victories, defeating Kata Seregi of Serbia 3-1, Mexico's Maria Jose Paz Rangel 3-0, and Ester Noemi Oyola Londono of Venezuela 3-0 to advance to the semifinals.

In her opening bout against Seregi, Zhao conceded a point just six seconds in after being pushed out of the circle.

"I wasn't used to the venue at first, which made me very nervous," Zhao said. "I told myself to just focus on every point."

In the semifinals, Zhao dominated Senegal's Elisabeth Ebedo Diatta 3-0. ■

Gold medalist Zhao Min (C) of China, silver medalist Taniya Taniya (L) of India and bronze medalist Matilda Ann Hruby of the United States pose at the awarding ceremony for the women's 75kg gold medal match of beach wrestling at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Saly, Senegal, on Nov. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

Gold medalist Zhao Min (2nd R) of China, silver medalist Taniya Taniya (3rd R) of India and bronze medalist Matilda Ann Hruby (1st R) of the United States take a selfie after the awarding ceremony for the women's 75kg gold medal match of beach wrestling at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Saly, Senegal, on Nov. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)