UAE’s Riyan Malhan wins historic Youth Olympics gold, hugs rival
Dubai: Riyan Malhan won the UAE’s first-ever Youth Olympic Games gold medal in Dakar on Thursday, before embracing his opponent in a moment captured in a video shared by the official Olympics Instagram account. Malhan defeated France’s Mady Sow 21-17, 21-18 in the boys’ badminton singles final, securing a landmark result for UAE sport. The closely contested final was followed by a gesture of…
Dubai: Riyan Malhan etched a historic moment for the UAE with his impressive win in the men’s badminton singles final at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on Thursday. The 21-17, 21-18 victory over France’s Mady Sow marked the UAE’s maiden gold medal at a Youth Olympic Games. The official Olympics Instagram account captured the spirit of sportsmanship as Malhan immediately approached his opponent for a hug.
“When history meets sporting spirit,” the caption read. Malhan’s triumph followed his success at the 2026 Asian U17 and U15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China, where he secured a boys’ under-17 singles title. He also claimed bronze in the boys’ under-17 doubles.
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