- ▪️Kenya’s sensational southpaw Ellah Demesi is brimming with confidence
November 7, 2026
Fourteen African boxers—headlined by Kenyan sensation Ellah Demesi—have bypassed the opening rounds to land straight in the quarter-finals of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Following Thursday’s official draw, eight male and six female pugilists from the continent earned coveted byes ahead of today’s tournament opener on November 7, 2026.
• Kenya’s Ellah Demesi: Fresh off a standout campaign as Kenya’s top performer at the World U19 Championships in Bangkok, the flyweight star will face the winner of the pre-quarter clash between New Zealand’s Lea Newman and Venezuela’s Grenyelis Garcia.
• Nigeria’s Shukurat Mayowa: Also advancing directly to the last eight, the female minimumweight contender awaits the victor of a gritty bout between Thailand’s Pemika Payungkasem and Algeria’s Bouthania Bensalah.
As Africa hosts the Youth Olympic Games for the first time in history, 27 boxers from across the continent (14 men and 13 women) are vying for podium glory on home soil.
Action starts in earnest today, with seven African fighters stepping into the ring for the opening session.
Commenting on the draw, Demesi told boxersworld.co.ke she’s happy to be in the quarter-finals and ready for any opponent.
“I’m here to win a medal for my country I don’t care whom I’ll meet, she should just prepare for a tough fight,” said Demesi in a telephone interview.
She’s happy with life in the Games Village.
“I can’t complain though they don’t have my favourite food pilau, I’m eating mostly rice and potatoes.”
Coach David Munuhe is delighted Demesi is already in the quarters.
“The bye is very welcome, it’s to our advantage, she’s confident of bringing home a medal,” Munuhe told boxersworld.co.ke.
