Day Three: Badminton & Beach Sprints Action in Dakar

Team Ireland’s Kate Dunne and Hannah Shochan produced battling performances on the third day of competition at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, with both athletes raising their game in hard-fought contests. In a closely fought contest, Shochan was edged out by New Zealand’s Amy Wang, who won 2-0. Race favourite in the Women’s Solo Beach Sprints, Tanya Brendle qualified to the quarterfinals, in the head-to-head against Dunne.

Coastal Rowing

In the Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints, Dunne faced Switzerland’s Tanya Brendle in the Women’s Solo Last 16 Knockouts, having secured her place in the head-to-head stage with an eighth-place finish in the previous day’s time trial.

Against the Swiss race favourite, Dunne delivered another committed performance, finishing 2:56.57, while Brendle progressed to the quarter-finals after stopping the clock in 2:49.51.

There was a relaxed atmosphere between the two athletes before the intensity of the knockout race began, with Dunne enjoying the occasion at the start line.

“We were dancing at the start line, getting ready for the race, just enjoying it. The music was pumping, and we were dancing to the music. I’m up against number one, you have to worry about your own race, so I was just getting ready for my race.”

Speaking through her race, the Wicklow rower said, 

“The sprint was good, entry was terrible. I saw my boat handler on the beach giving me direction. I looked around and I was a fair bit off the top turning buoy, so I had to go hard on right and just about got around it. Probably a bit too tight, got a bit caught on the turn with my blade.”

Dunne refused to let the Swiss athlete get away without a fight. Seeing Brendle around three to four boat lengths ahead after the turn, she drove hard for the beach and looked to use every opportunity offered by the water to close the gap.

“The conditions were good. After the top turn I took a look around to see where she was and she was about three or four lengths ahead of me, so I just wanted to try to make up what I could.

“Just really drove on and tried to catch a few swells, but it just wasn’t enough in the end.”

While Dunne’s individual competition came to an end in the Last 16, her Youth Olympic experience continues in the mixed relay, a non-medal event which will see athletes from different nations compete together.

Badminton

There was a similarly determined performance from 15-year-old Hannah Shochan in the Women’s Singles Group Play Stage, where she faced New Zealand’s Amy Wang in her second competition in the round robin stages.

Shochan raised her level from her opening match and pushed her opponent throughout, despite Wang eventually taking the contest 2-0 (24-22, 21-16).

“It was a tough match; it was all so close. I had to fight for every point and earn every point. It’s tough not to win such a close match, especially after fighting so much.

“I felt like I did play well, and definitely better than yesterday, but it just wasn’t enough.”

The fight in Shochan’s performance was particularly evident in the opening game. Having fallen behind early, she battled her way back into contention, eventually drawing level at 22-all after Wang had held two game points.

“In the first set I was really down at the beginning, and I managed to catch up. She had two game points and I closed to 22-all.”

Shochan was backed by vocal Team Ireland support throughout the match, with Dunne among those cheering courtside. The teenager also found herself earning the support of some of the local Senegalese spectators.

“I could hear the cheers in the crowd, my teammate Kate, and her coach Megan, Nancy, Robbie and Heather cheering me on behind me on the court, and it was nice.

“I also had quite a few of the Senegalese crowd supporting me as well. I think they liked my shouts on the court, so they were cheering for me.”

The second game offered another demonstration of Shochan’s determination. After needing time to adapt to the faster side of the court and falling behind, she battled back to reduce the deficit to 11-8.

Wang subsequently established another advantage and moved to match point at 20-12, but Shochan again refused to concede, saving four match points before her opponent eventually closed out the contest.

“It was tough not to win that match. In the second set again, I had a bit of a slow start because I was starting on the slower side, and the second set was on the faster side, and it took me a few points to adjust to that.

“She did get quite a nice lead at the beginning, unfortunately. I did catch up with her again, and then she got 20 match point, 12. I just tried to fight for every point after that and got four more to bring it to 16, but it was just too big a gap to close.

“I think I did play better today but it just wasn’t enough. Today’s opponent didn’t give me any free points; she made me fight for every point. Every rally was so long and tough. It was a good game, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”

Badminton and Boxing action from Dakar 2026 will can be viewed below:

Dakar 2026 Livestream

Unfortunately, there will be no live broadcast from the Beach Sprints. 

RTÉ holds the rights in Ireland for the Youth Olympic Games, and you can view the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony, and Daily Highlights on the RTÉ Player throughout the competition.

Results – Monday 2 November

Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints, Women’s Solo Last 16 Knockouts, Kate Dunne IRL (2:56.57) V Tanya Brendle SUI (2:49.51), win to Switzerland. 

Badminton, Women’s Singles Group Play Stage – Hannah Shochan (IRL) V Amy Wang (NZ), Win for New Zealand 2-0 (24-22, 21-16).

Schedule – Tuesday 3 November

16:45 Badminton, Women’s Singles Group Play Stage – Group G Match #WS343, Hannah Shochan (IRL) V Romili Vakk (Estonia)