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Ng Zhe Nin performing her taijishan routine during the women's taijiquan combined final at the Youth Olympic Games on 3 Nov. Photo: OIS/ Remi Vallat
Wushu exponent Ng Zhe Nin won gold in the women’s taijiquan combined event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on 3 Nov.
The 16-year-old, the reigning junior world champion in the girls’ youth taijiquan, scored 18.713 at the Dakar Expo Center. Ng entered the final as the top-ranked finisher from the preliminary round, and led the standings after the taijishan routine with her score of 9.353. She sealed gold – Singapore’s first medal of these Games – with her taijiquan score of 9.360.
Wushu is making its first appearance at the Youth Olympic Games, and each participant of the taijiquan combined event performed two routines – taijishan and taijiquan. Scores from both routines were combined to determine the final placings.
"Very relieved that all my endless training hours paid off and it's finally over," said Ng. "I did my best and I think it definitely means a lot to me. I trained a lot for this and I'm really happy with the result.
Competing at the Youth Olympic Games has been a long-time goal for Ng.
Recalling a conversation she had with her coach after winning a gold and a silver at her first World Junior Wushu Championships in 2024, she said: "My coach did say, 'You're already a world champion technically, so why do you want to continue?' And I said, 'Because of the Youth Olympic Games ... bigger stage'."
In table tennis, Loy Ming Ying defeated India’s Syndrela Das 4-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6) to reach the women’s singles quarter-finals.
Loy Ming Ying won her Round of 16 match at the Youth Olympic Games on 3 Nov. Photo: OIS/ Kieran Cleeves
Noting that she was less nervous for her Round of 16 match as compared to her group stage games, the 16-year-old said: “Yesterday, my coach and I analysed my previous matches with (Das) so today I know how I wanted to play against her. It was more tactical advice, and (he told) me not to get too frustrated if I miss a few balls in the match, or I’ll get too nervous and I won’t be able to think properly.
“In the first few matches I was actually really nervous, but now I know the feeling of playing and I just tried to hype myself up more in the match.”
Fellow Singaporean Zack Ng concluded his Dakar 2026 campaign with a 2-0 (21-16, 21-10) loss to Punnatat Prempunpong of Thailand in the men's singles group stage.
Reflecting on his performance at the Dakar Arena, the 17-year-old is proud of his attacking efforts and consistency. “But in the end, I couldn’t really stay consistent and I didn’t adapt too well as there was more wind in the court today,” he added.
Zack Ng during his last group stage match at the Youth Olympic Games 2026 on 3 Nov. Photo: OIS/ Will Palmer
Zack first picked up the sport at age five through casual games in his grandparents’ garden, and started competing when he was seven. “I like to challenge myself and reach higher goals, and I like the thrill of the pressure. Sometimes I can cope and sometimes I can’t, but it’s a learning process,” said Ng, crediting his first coach Eevon for teaching him how to stay positive.
For Zack, Dakar 2026 will certainly be a valuable part of this learning process. He said: “This is a very big Games and representing the country has a lot of pressure. But in the end, it’s (about) how I can perform in the match.”
The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games takes place from 31 October to 13 November 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.
