Naif Al-Ghazwani Becomes Saudi's First Youth Olympic Boxer

Saudi boxer Naif Al-Ghazwani has become the first athlete from Saudi Arabia to qualify for boxing at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, set to take place in Dakar between October 31st and November 13th.
Al-Ghazwani secured qualification during the U19 Boxing World Cup “Futures” in Thailand, where he defeated Italy’s Francesco Zonelli following a bout marked by sustained pressure and counterattacking exchanges.
The result represents a milestone for Saudi boxing, reflecting ongoing efforts to develop young athletes for international competition. The qualification follows a structured development programme led by the Saudi Boxing Federation, which has focused on expanding grassroots participation and competitive pathways through local tournaments such as the “Kingdom Belt”.
Al-Ghazwani’s preparation included intensive training at the Mike Tyson Club under specialised coaching, followed by an overseas training camp in Thailand designed to simulate international competition conditions.