Ukrainian athlete Milania Kokhan has won the gold medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, clinching victory in the hammer throw competition. The 17-year-old athlete not only won the final but also set a personal record of 71.27 meters during her fifth attempt. This victory is not just a personal achievement but a continuation of a family dynasty: in 2018, her older brother, Mykhaylo Kokhan, also became a Youth Olympic champion in the same discipline.
The first throw and the finale
Kokhan began the Dakar competition with a powerful statement: her very first throw in the sector reached 70.71 meters. This was enough to lead the leaderboard by a wide margin, with her closest competitor at that point trailing the Ukrainian by nearly eight meters. Although her second attempt was unsuccessful, the athlete quickly regained her rhythm and continued to consistently surpass the 69-meter mark. The climax of the final came on her fifth throw: the hammer landed at 71.27 meters, securing Kokhan a new personal record and effectively sealing her victory.
Final results
The silver medal was won by China's Yang Xinyue with a result of 65.96 meters. Rounding out the top three was Mexico's Alison Aylin Salinas Espino, who threw 61.52 meters. Thus, the winner finished more than five meters ahead of her closest rival, a performance that underscores the Ukrainian's dominance in this final.
Family triumph: From Buenos Aires to Dakar
The victory in Senegal is particularly significant for the Kokhan family. In 2018, their older brother Mykhaylo also became a Youth Olympic champion, winning the hammer throw at the tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since then, Mykhaylo has achieved success at the senior Olympic level, winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Games. Mykhaylo also plays an important role in his younger sister's training: he helps her with throwing technique, participates in her workouts, and shares his experience from international competitions. Thus, the Kokhan family has formed a true dynasty of hammer throwers representing Ukraine at major international events.
2026 Season: From Rieti to Dakar
Before her triumph in Dakar, Milania had already made a name for herself on the international stage. In July 2026, she made her debut for the Ukrainian national team at the U18 European Championships in Rieti, Italy. There, the athlete also won gold, throwing the hammer 70.19 meters. At the time, that result was her personal record, the best in Europe, and the fourth best in the world for her age category. Judging by the bib number in the photos, this is where Kokhan was competing wearing the 'RIETI 2026' kit.
Debut season in hammer throw
It is worth noting that Milania has only been professionally involved in hammer throw since 2025. In her first season, she became the Ukrainian champion among U20 athletes and a silver medalist at the national U18 championships. In 2026, Kokhan won the Ukrainian championships in both age categories, confirming her status as one of the country's most promising throwers. In just one year, she progressed from a novice to a European U18 champion and Youth Olympic winner — a pace that sets her apart even among experienced rivals.
Ukrainian day in Dakar
The day of Kokhan's triumph was rich in medals for the entire Ukrainian sports delegation at the Youth Olympics. Earlier that day, Alina Dmytruk won a silver medal in fencing, and Vitaliy Tarasyuk brought Ukraine 'silver' in athletics. Thus, the Ukrainian team in Dakar continues to steadily accumulate medals, and the victory of the 17-year-old hammer thrower became one of the most brilliant sporting events of the day for the country.
