Senegal won its first ever gold medal at an Olympic event on Saturday in the country's national sport, beach wrestling.

Elisabeth Diatta, 16, beat Japanese opponent Reisa Kojima at the Youth Olympic Games with a spectacular takedown in the final of the women's 55-kilogram division in front of home fans.

“I'm so happy to have made history for Senegal,” Diatta said.

Beach wrestling made its Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games, which are taking place in the Senegalese capital Dakar and nearby towns Diamniadio and Saly. Athletes are between 14 and 17.

Wrestling is practiced on the many beaches of the coastal West African nation and wrestlers are celebrated like rock stars. The local variation of wrestling, called laamb in Wolof, one of the national languages, has been part of village life for centuries.

Senegalese wrestle for entertainment or to celebrate special occasions.…