Ruiter Wrestling Club’s Duné van Zyl and her father and head coach, Dean, will proudly represent South African wrestling at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal in November, marking a historic milestone for the sport.

The father-and-daughter duo are set to make history as the first such combination in South African wrestling to attend the Youth Olympic Games together, with Duné competing in the 75kg beach wrestling category and Dean serving as South Africa’s wrestling coach.

For the pair, the opportunity represents more than just participation on the international stage. It is the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice and a shared passion for wrestling, with the ultimate dream of seeing Duné bring home a gold medal for South Africa.

“This is a phenomenal achievement because not everyone gets this opportunity,” said Dean.

Duné will be the only South African wrestler representing the country at the games, while Dean will be the sole wrestling coach for Team South Africa, making their participation even more significant.

Despite the pressure that comes with competing at such a prestigious event, Duné is embracing the opportunity with gratitude, determination and a strong belief in her abilities.

“It feels amazing, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I get to represent my country. Now I need to believe in myself and go do my best,” she said.

Her approach to the games is simple: Remain focused, trust her preparation and give her best performance on the day.

Duné began wrestling at the age of five and has since built an impressive record. She is a 12-time national champion and has earned bronze and silver medals at African Championships. Her experience also includes competing at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) Games, and she has secured a place on the Commonwealth team for competition in December.

For her, this competition will be about more than medals and results. She sees the event as an opportunity to showcase her love for wrestling and inspire other young girls to believe in their own potential.

She hopes her journey will demonstrate that girls can pursue their sporting ambitions, overcome challenges and compete on the biggest stages.

Behind her success has been the unwavering support of her father, who introduced her to wrestling and has played a pivotal role in her development as both an athlete and a competitor.

“Without my father doing wrestling and encouraging me, I wouldn’t have done the sport. He is my biggest supporter,” Duné said.

Their relationship brings a special dimension to the upcoming Games. While Dean will have the responsibility of coaching at the international event, he will also be watching his daughter take on the challenge of representing her country against the best young athletes in the world.

As the countdown to Dakar continues, preparation is already in full swing. Dean said the team is following a strict training programme, with Duné training three times a day as she works towards peak performance.

He added that she is putting in the hard work and remaining committed to the demanding schedule as they prepare for the competition.