Matthew Azzopardi Finishes Seventh as Malta Concludes Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Campaign

Malta has concluded its participation at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, with Matthew Azzopardi delivering a solid performance in the men's 800m final.

Azzopardi secured seventh place overall, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:58.52 to bring Malta's athletics campaign to a close on a positive note.

The young athlete demonstrated determination and competitive spirit against international opposition, gaining valuable experience at one of the most prestigious sporting events for emerging talent.

Earlier in the competition, fellow Maltese athlete Nick Bonett competed in the men's 400m event, finishing 10th overall among 16 participants.

Although Bonett narrowly missed out on a higher placing, his participation provided an important opportunity to compete against talented young athletes from around the world.

Both athletes were accompanied by coach Tiziana Zammit, who guided and supported the Maltese contingent throughout the competition.

The performances of Azzopardi and Bonett highlight the continued development of young athletics talent in Malta and the importance of international competition in building experience and confidence.

Their participation in Dakar represents another valuable step in their sporting journeys, as they look towards future competitions and further opportunities to represent Malta internationally.

#MaltaDaily