Seventeen-year-old table tennis player Li Hechen secured a strong start in the men’s singles tournament at the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Diamniadio, Senegal, winning his opening two group matches on November 1, Xinhua reported.
Opening Group Stage Victories in Diamniadio
Competing in his first Youth Olympic Games, the 6th-seeded Li overcame initial nerves to defeat Germany’s Linderer 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 in just 14 minutes during the morning session. Later in the day, he faced Turkey’s Ozger, taking the first game 11-4 before dropping the second 11-9. Li steadied his mental approach to claim the next two games and seal a 3-1 victory, placing him at the top of his group alongside teammate Yao Rui-xuan.
In the women’s singles draw, 3rd-seeded Yao secured straight-game victories against Venezuela’s Dakota Ferrer and Algeria’s Morris. Xinhua reported that Yao acknowledged she has not yet reached her ideal competitive rhythm, expressing a desire to fully unleash her form in the subsequent rounds.
Understanding the Scale of Multisport Competition
Li described his first trip to Africa and his initial experience at a major games opening ceremony as an impactful atmosphere. Yao highlighted the distinct tactical pressure of competing as a single nation representative who must guard her entire half of the bracket.
The rigorous schedule also brought a setback in the evening mixed doubles event. Li and Yao faced Japan’s Kawauchi Haruki and Matsushima Mio, losing 1-3 after a 39-minute battle that eliminated them from semifinal contention.
