Competition
Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics Taekwondo: Dates and Events
Taekwondo has 11 medal events at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, the third most of any sport. Here are the weight classes, the format and the dates.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 30, 2026Short answer: Taekwondo at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal runs November 8 to 12, 2026 at the Dakar Expo Centre. It has 10 individual weight-class events, 5 for men and 5 for women, plus a mixed team event, for 11 medals. The sport has a quota of 100 athletes.
| Games dates | October 31 to November 13, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Taekwondo dates | November 8 to 12, 2026 |
| Venue | Dakar Expo Centre, Dakar, Senegal |
| Medal events | 11 (10 individual and 1 mixed team) |
| Athlete quota | 100 |
| Rank among sports | Third most medal events, behind athletics and aquatics |
The 11 medal events
The program has five weight classes for each gender and a mixed team competition. Each weight class is a single-elimination sparring bracket in the same style as the Olympic Games.
| Gender | Weight classes |
|---|---|
| Men | -48 kg, -55 kg, -63 kg, -73 kg, +73 kg |
| Women | -44 kg, -49 kg, -55 kg, -63 kg, +63 kg |
Taekwondo is the third-largest sport at the Games by medal events. Only athletics and aquatics offer more, which says a lot about how World Taekwondo and the International Olympic Committee view the sport for young athletes.
How the Youth Games differ from the Olympics
The Youth Olympic classes are lighter and more numerous than the Olympic ones. The Olympic program has four classes per gender, while Dakar has five.
| Youth Olympics (Dakar 2026) | Olympics (Los Angeles 2028) | |
|---|---|---|
| Men | -48, -55, -63, -73, +73 kg | -58, -68, -80, +80 kg |
| Women | -44, -49, -55, -63, +63 kg | -49, -57, -67, +67 kg |
| Team event | Mixed team | None |
| Medal events | 11 | 8 |
The extra mixed team event is a feature of the youth program. See how the adult Olympic route works in our guide to LA28 taekwondo qualification.
Dates, venue and what to watch
The Games open on October 31 and close on November 13, 2026. Taekwondo is held from November 8 to 12 at the Dakar Expo Centre, which also hosts artistic gymnastics, wushu, fencing, table tennis and judo. Dakar is the first Olympic sports event held on the African continent.
With only 100 athletes in the whole sport, the fields are small and every nation sends few fighters. That makes the draw tight, and an early upset can change a bracket quickly.
Add the event to your plans from our Dakar 2026 event page, and see every upcoming competition in the taekwondo events calendar.
Why the Youth Games matter for students
The Youth Games are a bridge between junior national teams and the senior circuit. They are a good place to watch young fighters before they move into the senior ranks. If your child trains at a school that teaches WT-style sparring, this is the competition to show them. Our guide to WT, ITF and ATA taekwondo explains which schools prepare students for this kind of event.
Frequently asked questions
When is taekwondo at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics?
Taekwondo runs from November 8 to 12, 2026. The Games as a whole run from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
Where is the taekwondo competition?
At the Dakar Expo Centre in Dakar, Senegal. The venue also hosts several other combat and indoor sports.
How many medals are awarded in taekwondo?
There are 11 medal events: 10 individual weight classes and one mixed team event.
What are the Youth Olympic weight classes?
Men compete at -48, -55, -63, -73 and +73 kg. Women compete at -44, -49, -55, -63 and +63 kg.
How many athletes compete?
Taekwondo has a quota of 100 athletes. The Games as a whole host about 2,700 athletes.
Is the format the same as the Olympics?
The sparring format is the same, but the weight classes differ and the Youth Games add a mixed team event.
Why is Dakar 2026 historic?
It is the first Olympic sports event held on the African continent.