DAKAR, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- China won two silver medals and a bronze as 12 athletics titles were decided at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Monday, with Chen Shijie recovering from a slow start to finish second in the men's 110-meter hurdles.
Chen clocked a personal-best 13.40 seconds to take silver behind Jamaica's Marquies Page, who won gold in 12.95. South Africa's Enrique Bosch finished third.
After the first start was recalled because of a false start, Chen struggled out of the blocks at the restart and was seventh among the nine finalists before recovering to finish second.
Despite setting a personal best, Chen said he had performed at only 70% of his potential.
"I was too excited and a little nervous, so I couldn't find my rhythm," he said. "I also hit my foot against a hurdle during the warm-up and it became swollen. I still lack experience in major competitions."
Chen said he would begin training and competing over senior-height hurdles after the Games, acknowledging that he would need time to adapt.
"I need to gradually adjust, work hard on my technique and follow in the footsteps of the athletes who came before me," he said.
China's second silver came in the men's high jump, where Liu Sen also set a personal best.
Liu cleared 2.14 meters on his first attempt, matching South Africa's Matao Le Roux, but was unable to clear 2.16 or 2.18 meters. Le Roux secured gold after clearing 2.16 meters.
In the men's 400 meters, China's Liu Han took bronze in 47.16 seconds after being overtaken in the closing stages by Saeed Omar of the United Arab Emirates and Mustapha Jadama of The Gambia.
Omar won gold in 46.40 seconds, ahead of Jadama, who clocked 46.93.
Elsewhere, China's Liu Lixuan finished sixth in the women's long jump, won by Italy's Poko Silvia Canape, while Wang Changle also placed sixth in the women's javelin, where Colombia's Ilsa Mayerlin Cordoba took gold.
Wang Tengfei finished fourth in his men's 400-meter hurdles semifinal heat to advance to Tuesday's final.
Ethiopia was among the day's standout performers, winning three gold medals. Junedin Abdo claimed the men's 2,000-meter steeplechase title, Wabi Seblega won the men's 1,500 meters and Netsanet Selemon triumphed in the women's 800 meters.
Egypt's Yahya Sawaby won the men's discus, Brazil's Pyetro Henrico Souza took gold in the men's shot put, Nigeria's Praise Ugoh claimed the women's 400-meter title and Kenya's Faith Rono won the women's 3,000 meters. ■
