In brief
African table tennis and martial arts athletes have concluded months-long training in China. They highlighted Chinese coaching techniques, improved consistency and mental toughness, and are set to compete in the historic Dakar Youth Olympics with heightened confidence.
Senegalese table tennis player Marieme Diallo and other African athletes have wrapped up intensive training camps in China as the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games approach. The multi‑disciplinary camps, part of the China‑Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges, saw athletes from Senegal and Tunisia work with Chinese coaches on table tennis, wushu, changquan and taijiquan for almost two months before heading home.
Diallo, 16, said the camps allowed her to “keep the ball in play much longer than usual because they taught us the proper techniques.” She added that the preparations in Changsha added to her confidence ahead of the games.
"We can keep the ball in play much longer than usual because they taught us the proper techniques," spoken by Marieme Diallo.
Accompanying the team was Senegalese Table Tennis Federation coach Marie Fara Mendy, who praised the rigor, discipline and facilities of the Chinese training centers. She noted that the "attention paid to technical details, the volume of ball practice and the role played by sparring partners" helped the athletes elevate their game.
"What impressed me most was the rigor, discipline and sports facilities. I was also impressed by the attention paid to technical details, the volume of ball practice and the role played by sparring partners," said Coach Mendy.
The camps also focused heavily on mental conditioning and stamina, with training sessions lasting four to five hours. According to Mendy, players improved their serves, returns, consistency on the backhand and footwork, while developing greater confidence and resilience.
After returning to Dakar, the athletes are said to be “highly motivated” and determined to represent their countries with pride. The Senegalese table tennis squad plans to showcase their progress before a home crowd, while Tunisian and other African competitors are also preparing to make history at their first Youth Olympic event.
The training period in Tianjin’s Huoyuanjia School, where four Senegalese athletes spent almost two months honing their moves in wushu, added a martial‑arts component to the overall preparation, further broadening the competitors’ skill sets before the Youth Olympics.
