Paddler Syndrela, swimmer Desinghu to lead Indian contingent in Youth Olympics

FILE PHOTO: India's Syndrela Das, 17, picked up valuable international experience at the Asian Games in Japan, where she featured in both the women’s team and doubles competitions. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Young table tennis player Syndrela Das and teenage swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu will lead India’s 17-member squad at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, which starts in Senegal on October 31.

The event continues through November 13, with India taking part in 11 sports. Roughly 2,700 athletes from 207 delegations are expected to compete across 25 disciplines.

Syndrela, 17, picked up valuable international experience at the Asian Games in Japan, where she featured in both the women’s team and doubles competitions. India’s women’s team made it to the quarterfinals, while Syndrela and Sreeja Akula advanced to the doubles round of 16.

Dhinidhi is steadily establishing herself as one of the country’s most promising young swimmers. She claimed gold in the 200m freestyle at the 2026 Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok, setting a national record in the process.

Fellow young paddler Sarthak Arya is keen to make the most of the chance, seeing the Youth Olympics as a stepping stone to loftier goals.

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“The Youth Olympics will be a stepping-stone in my journey. I dream of representing India at the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030 and then at the Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032. Looking further ahead, if India gets the opportunity to host the Olympic Games in 2036, competing at home and hopefully winning an Olympic medal for my country would be truly special,” said Sarthak.

The Youth Olympic Games offer a stage for emerging talents to gain international exposure. Eligibility is typically limited to athletes between 15 and 18 years old, depending on the sport and event rules.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P T Usha stressed the importance of the Games in preparing the next generation of athletes for major global competitions.

“Dakar 2026 is an important milestone for our young athletes. They represent the future of Indian sport, and among them may be the champions who will represent India at Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

“Hosting the first Olympic event on the African continent is a historic moment for the Olympic Movement, and we look forward to sharing this landmark occasion with Senegal and the wider Olympic community,” she added.

INDIAN CONTINGENT FOR YOUTH OLYMPICS 2026

Avinash Shourya (Women’s 100m Hurdles), Antra (Women’s beach wrestling 65kg), Anuj(Men’s beach wrestling 70kg), Khushbu Rajakbhai (Women’s judo 63kg), Syndrela Das (Women’s table tennis singles), Dhinidhi Desinghu (Women’s 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 200m IM), Gunjan (Women’s boxing 48kg), Gatha Khadke (Women’s archery individual), Deepanshu Khokhar (Men’s beach wrestling 80kg), Lairenlakpama Ambekar (Men’s boxing 50kg), Sresht Raju (Men’s equestrian jumping individual), Priyanshi Patil (Women’s windsurfing), Tanvi Patri (Women’s badminton singles), Tirhank Pegu (Men’s 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly), Rajkumari Lanchenbi Chanu (Women’s Changquan combined), Ruparelia Dev (Men’s badminton singles), Taniya (Women’s Beach wrestling 75kg).