Anes Mati wins silver, claims Canada’s first medal at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 03, 2026

Photo courtesy: CTV News

Canadian judoka Anes Mati earned his country’s first medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games after winning silver in the men’s under-66-kilogram division on Sunday, November 1.

The athlete from Anjou, Quebec, reached the final against Ukraine’s Khazar Heydarov at the Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio, Senegal.

Both competitors remained scoreless during regulation time, sending the match into golden score, an overtime period in which the next decisive score or penalty determines the winner.

The closely contested final ended when Mati received his third shido, or penalty, resulting in disqualification and awarding the gold medal to Heydarov.

The result gave Canada its first podium finish of the Games, which officially opened on October 31.

Silver medal opens Canada’s campaign

Mati’s performance came on the first full day of competition, putting Canada on the medal table early in the international youth sporting event.

Argentina’s Thiago Carvallo and Senegal’s Matar Diop took bronze in the same division.

Diop’s victory was also significant for the host nation, securing Senegal’s first medal of the Games in front of a home crowd.

The men’s under-66-kilogram final was one of three judo gold-medal contests held on November 1.

Azerbaijan’s Ibrahim Talibov won the men’s under-55-kilogram event, while Türkiye’s Sema Nur Yuksel captured gold in the women’s under-44-kilogram division.

Canada competes with 28-athlete delegation

Canada sent 28 athletes to Dakar to compete in the Youth Olympic Games, which bring together young athletes from around the world.

Mati’s silver-medal finish gave the delegation an early result as competition continued across other sports.

His achievement also marked a strong opening for Canadian judo, with the Quebec athlete advancing to the championship match before narrowly missing the gold medal in overtime.

One additional verified detail strengthens the story: Mati entered the Youth Olympics as the reigning cadet world champion, having won the men’s 66-kilogram title in August 2026. Team Canada’s official athlete announcement confirms that achievement.