CULIACÁN, Sinaloa._ Sinaloan beach volleyball will experience one of its most important moments with the participation of coach Xochitl Isela Orona Leal and players Ángela Pérez Araujo and Celia Yasbeth López Higuera in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will be held from October 30 to November 13 in Senegal.

The Olympic participation comes after a year of great results for the three Sinaloan representatives, who recently competed in the U-18 Beach Volleyball World Championship in the Netherlands, a competition in which they had the opportunity to face some of the discipline's top international powerhouses.

For Xochitl Orona Leal, who has accompanied and trained the two players since they were young, representing Mexico in a Youth Olympic Games represents the fulfillment of a dream. The coach particularly highlighted the fact of sharing this experience with Ángela and Celia, two players she has trained since their early years in volleyball.

The ticket to Dakar comes after an outstanding season for the young Sinaloan athletes. Ángela Pérez Araujo and Celia López Higuera won the gold medal at the National Olympiad, in addition to representing Mexico at the U-18 Beach Volleyball World Championship. Added to these achievements is the notable recent career of Ángela Pérez, who also won the bronze medal at the 2026 NORCECA, held in Costa Rica, in the Indoor Volleyball category.

Thus, Xochitl Orona, Ángela Pérez, and Celia López are preparing to write a new chapter in their athletic careers. After winning national titles, competing in a U-18 World Championship, and gaining international experience, the three Sinaloan athletes will now have the opportunity to represent Mexico on the youth Olympic stage.