Sixteen‑year‑old Riyan Malhan made history on 6 November 2026 by winning the UAE’s inaugural Youth Olympic gold medal in badminton, defeating France’s Mady Sow 21‑17, 21‑18 in the final at Dakar.
Malhan entered the tournament after a breakthrough at the Badminton Asia U17 and U15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, where he secured the singles gold earlier in the year. In Dakar, he topped his group by beating players from Sweden, Greece and Malaysia, then advanced through a quarter‑final win over Thailand and a semifinal victory against China.
The win marks the first Youth Olympic gold for the United Arab Emirates.
Path to the podium
Born in Dubai to Indian parents, Malhan expressed his gratitude, saying, “It feels very special, and honestly, I’m grateful to have had these opportunities.” He added that the Asian Championships and Youth Olympic triumphs would remain unforgettable moments.
The UAE Badminton Federation praised the flawless run, noting that Malhan “won all six matches without dropping a single game.” The federation highlighted the achievement as a product of dedication, discipline and the federation’s grassroots development programmes.
Impact on UAE badminton
Beyond the individual gold, Malhan contributed to the UAE’s best‑ever finish at the Junior World Badminton Championships, helping the team secure sixth place after a surprise victory over India.
Earlier in the year, Malhan earned a bronze in the Under‑15 category at the same Chengdu event, another first for the UAE, underscoring the rapid progress of the sport in the country.
“I think it’s a really good feeling, especially because this has not happened before for a country like the UAE,” he said after his Asian title, adding that the nation is now “coming a long way” in badminton.
Riyan’s success reflects the growing investment in youth sports across the Emirates and sets a new benchmark for future Emirati athletes.
Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sports/historic-youth-olympics-gold-for-uaes-riyan-malhan
