Kuwait City, Kuwait, November 12, 2026: Yasmeen Waleed has won the gold medal in the girls’ high jump at the 4th Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, setting a new Kuwaiti record of 1.80 metres.
The Kuwait Olympic Committee described the win as a “historic achievement” for Kuwait sport.
Waleed is one of the athletes in the KOC'S Olympic champion programme, which is backed by KOC President Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and aims to prepare national talent to compete and win at international events.
Kuwait’s Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, Dr Tareq Al-Jalahma, congratulated Waleed and told the national news agency KUNA that the achievement was a “source of pride” that reflected Kuwaiti athletes’ determination to raise the country’s flag at major world events.
The Minister praised the 17-year-old Waleed’s performance and determination and said the victory underlined the importance of investing in young sporting talent.
At the Bahrain 2025 Asian Youth Games, Waleed soared high to win the gold medal in 1.73m.
Meanwhile, Fatima Hayat, a member of the KOC Board of Directors and Head of the Women’s Sports Committee, extended her warmest congratulations to Waleed and the entire Kuwaiti people.
Hayat emphasised that the achievement was the result of continuous efforts and tireless work of the KOC and its Women’s Sports Committee over the past years to develop the women’s sports system.
