Dakar 2026: Team Ireland Boxer Jubani Ready To Begin Youth Olympic Campaign

Kristian Jubani will step into the ring for the first time at the Youth Olympic Games tomorrow (Tuesday), when the Team Ireland boxer takes on Iraq’s Almohaimen Taleef in the quarter-finals of the Men’s 50kg competition in Dakar.

Jubani received a bye through the preliminary stage following the draw and will begin his campaign one victory away from a Youth Olympic medal. His quarter-final against Taleef is Bout 2 of Tuesday’s afternoon session, scheduled for approximately 12:15pm local time at Dakar Expo Centre.

The 17-year-old has settled well into life in the Youth Olympic Village since arriving in Dakar, with training and final preparations going well alongside Boxing Ireland coach, Eoin Pluck.

His focus now turns entirely to Tuesday (10 November) and finally getting his competition underway.

“I’m really looking forward to getting going now. The preparation has gone well and I’m feeling good, so I’m just ready to get in there and box.”  

Jubani, who represents Crumlin Boxing Club, arrives at the Youth Olympic Games as the current European U19 silver medallist at 50kg. He was also crowned European U17 champion in 2025 and won the Four Nations 50kg title this year.

He is a multiple Irish champion, with national titles across a number of underage age groups, including National U17, National Junior 1 and Junior Cadet level.

There are 11 boxers in the Men’s 50kg draw in Dakar. Jubani’s opponent, Taleef, most recently competed internationally at the 2026 World Futures Cup in February.

Victory tomorrow would send Jubani through to Wednesday’s semi-finals and guarantee him a medal at the Youth Olympic Games. The Men’s 50kg semi-finals take place on 11 November, with the final scheduled for 12 November.

Jubani is the final Team Ireland athlete to begin competition at Dakar 2026, following Kate Dunne in Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints and Hannah Shochan in badminton.

Schedule Day 11 – Tuesday 10 November

12:15 Boxing, Men’s 50k Preliminaries – Kristian Jubani Ireland (Ireland) V Almohaimen Takleef (Iraq)

Watch here:

Dakar 2026 Livestream