Aris Kiagias wins bronze in fencing at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Cypriot fencer Aris Kiagias secured a bronze medal in the men's foil event at the 4th Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, on November 9, 2026. Kiagias clinched the medal by defeating British athlete Mohammed Belbouab in a dramatic third-place play-off match that ended with a final score of 15-14.

The match was marked by significant momentum shifts. Kiagias initially established a commanding 8-2 lead, but Belbouab staged a strong comeback, turning the score to his favor at 13-9 and later 14-12. Demonstrating resilience, the Cypriot athlete successfully executed a final surge to score three consecutive points, securing the victory. This result represents the first time a Cypriot athlete has medaled in fencing at the Youth Olympic Games.

Throughout the tournament, Kiagias demonstrated consistent performance in the preliminary pools and knockout rounds. In the pool stages, he achieved victories against competitors from Venezuela, Hong Kong, Algeria, Senegal, and Denmark, with his only loss coming against Sebastian Acosta Murillo of Costa Rica. The Cyprus Olympic Committee confirmed that this victory, alongside a bronze medal won by Ioanna Konstantinou in Taekwondo, marked a triumphant conclusion to the nation's participation in the Dakar 2026 Games.