Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics: Tirthank Pegu Leads India's Schedule on November 1 as Swimming Final Offers Medal Opportunity

India's campaign at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games enters another important day on November 1, with seven scheduled appearances across swimming, table tennis, Wushu and badminton. 

The spotlight will be on Tirthank Pegu, who is set to compete in the men's 100m butterfly heats, with a potential place in the final later in the evening offering India a significant medal opportunity.

The day's programme begins at 4:27 PM IST with Pegu in Heat 4 of the men's 100m butterfly. If he qualifies, he will return to the pool at 9:02 PM IST for the final, making swimming the most closely watched discipline for Indian supporters on Sunday.

India will also have multiple appearances in table tennis and badminton, while Rajkumari Lanchheni Chanu will represent the country in the women's Changquan combined preliminary event in Wushu.

Pegu's participation in the men's 100m butterfly is the biggest highlight of India's November 1 schedule. He is listed in Heat 4 at 4:27 PM IST, where his immediate objective will be to secure qualification for the final.

The men's 100m butterfly final is scheduled for 9:02 PM IST. However, Pegu's appearance in the medal race is subject to qualification from the heats. The event provides one of the day's clearest opportunities for India to challenge for a medal. The short-distance butterfly demands a combination of explosive speed, efficient technique and the ability to maintain pace through the closing stages. With the heats preceding the final by several hours, Pegu will need to negotiate the opening round successfully before turning his attention to the next challenge.

For Indian swimming, his performance will be an important one to follow as the country looks to make its presence felt at the Youth Olympic Games.

Syndrela Das faces two international challenges

Table tennis player Syndrela Das has a demanding double assignment on Sunday, with two matches scheduled against opponents from different countries. Her first appearance comes at 6:00 PM IST against Ghana's Joanita Borteve. The contest will provide an opportunity for Das to build momentum early in the evening and secure a positive result in her group-stage campaign.

She will return to the table at 11:30 PM IST for another match, this time against Poland's Katarzyna Rajkowska.

The two fixtures will test Das's ability to manage a busy matchday, adapt to different playing styles and maintain consistency across separate contests. The first match against Borteve will be followed by a gap of more than five hours before she takes on Rajkowska. With two opportunities to make progress, Das will be among India's busiest athletes on the day's schedule.

At 8:00 PM IST, attention will shift to Wushu, where Rajkumari Lanchheni Chanu is scheduled to compete in the women's Changquan combined preliminary event, Gunshu.

Changquan is a demanding discipline that places emphasis on speed, flexibility, balance, coordination and the execution of technically precise movements. Gunshu involves the use of a staff, requiring athletes to combine weapon-handling skills with controlled movement and athletic execution.

The preliminary round will be an important opportunity for Chanu to present her performance and strengthen India's representation in the discipline. Her appearance adds another dimension to India's programme, with the country represented across both combat and technical sports on Sunday.

Badminton action closes the day's Indian schedule

India's badminton campaign will feature two singles matches in the evening.

Dev Ruparelia is scheduled to face Senegal's Cheikh in the men's singles Group H C1 match at 9:30 PM IST. The fixture will give Ruparelia an opportunity to register a positive result and strengthen his position in the group.

At 10:15 PM IST, Tanvi Patri will take on a South Korean opponent, Jang, in the women's singles Group H C1 contest.

Both matches will be important for the Indian players as they look to progress through the group stage. Facing opponents from Senegal and South Korea will also provide different competitive challenges for the two shuttlers.

With the badminton matches scheduled close together, Indian supporters will have two consecutive opportunities to follow the country's campaign on court.

India's November 1 schedule: All timings in IST

November 1 offers India a varied programme at Dakar 2026, with seven scheduled appearances across four disciplines. While Pegu's potential appearance in the swimming final is the standout medal opportunity, Syndrela Das's two table tennis matches, Chanu's Wushu dand the badminton contests involving Ruparelia and Patri will also be important to follow.

The immediate focus will be on qualification in swimming and securing positive results across the other events. For India's young athletes, every appearance is an opportunity to gain international experience and make progress on a major multi-sport stage.

With action beginning in the afternoon and continuing until late evening, Indian supporters have a full day of competition ahead at the Youth Olympic Games.