The Most Famous
ATHLETES from Senegal
Top 6
The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Senegalese Athletes of all time. This list of famous Senegalese Athletes is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity.
1. Amadou Dia Ba (b. 1958)
With an HPI of 50.36, Amadou Dia Ba is the most famous Senegalese Athlete. His biography has been translated into 20 different languages on wikipedia.
El Hadj Amadou Dia Bâ (born September 22, 1958) is a retired Senegalese athlete who competed in the 400 metres hurdles. He won the 1988 Olympic silver medal in this event with a personal best time of 47.23 seconds. It was the first, and only (as 2024) Olympic medal for Senegal. He competed in three consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1984.
2. Amy Mbacké Thiam (b. 1976)
With an HPI of 43.26, Amy Mbacké Thiam is the 2nd most famous Senegalese Athlete. Her biography has been translated into 23 different languages.
Amy Mbacké Thiam (born November 10, 1976) is a Senegalese athlete competing in the 400 metres.
3. Cherif Younousse (b. 1995)
With an HPI of 34.01, Cherif Younousse is the 3rd most famous Senegalese Athlete. His biography has been translated into 12 different languages.
Cherif Younousse Samba (Arabic: شريف يونس سامبا, born 22 May 1995) is a Senegalese-born Olympic beach volleyball player competing for Qatar. In 2018, he alongside Ahmed Tijan clinched the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia. He competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics with teammate Jefferson Pereira. They were eliminated in the round of 16 of the men's tournament. After ending the partnership with Ahmed Tijan in 2014, they were reunited in 2017. The pair qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics, where they won the bronze medal, the first ever medal for Qatar in beach volleyball.
4. Adama Diatta (b. )
With an HPI of 31.99, Adama Diatta is the 4th most famous Senegalese Athlete. His biography has been translated into 11 different languages.
Adama Diatta (born 14 August 1988) is a male freestyle wrestler from Senegal. He participated in the Men's freestyle 55 kg at the 2008 Summer Olympics. In the round of 16, he lost to Tomohiro Matsunaga from Japan. In the repechage round, he was beaten by Turkish Sezar Akgul. He competed for Senegal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 57 kg division. He was defeated by Yowlys Bonne of Cuba in the first round. He was the flag bearer for Senegal during the closing ceremony. Through the 2021 African & Oceania Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament, he earned qualification to represent Senegal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
5. Sokhna Lacoste (b. 2000)
With an HPI of 19.42, Sokhna Lacoste is the 5th most famous Senegalese Athlete. Her biography has been translated into 5 different languages.
Sokhna Lacoste née Diop (born 25 August 2000) is a French track and field sprinter. She represented France at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo 2021, competing in women's 4 × 400 metres relay.
6. Kim Jin-yi (b. )
With an HPI of 14.37, Kim Jin-yi is the 6th most famous Senegalese Athlete. Their biography has been translated into 2 different languages.
People
Pantheon has 6 people classified as Senegalese athletes born between 1958 and 2000. Of these 6, 6 (100.00%) of them are still alive today. The most famous living Senegalese athletes include Amadou Dia Ba, Amy Mbacké Thiam, and Cherif Younousse. As of April 2024, 4 new Senegalese athletes have been added to Pantheon including Cherif Younousse, Adama Diatta, and Sokhna Lacoste.
Living Senegalese Athletes
Go to all RankingsAmadou Dia Ba
1958 - Present
HPI: 50.36
Amy Mbacké Thiam
1976 - Present
HPI: 43.26
Cherif Younousse
1995 - Present
HPI: 34.01
Adama Diatta
HPI: 31.99
Sokhna Lacoste
2000 - Present
HPI: 19.42
Kim Jin-yi
HPI: 14.37
Newly Added Senegalese Athletes (2024)
Go to all RankingsCherif Younousse
1995 - Present
HPI: 34.01
Adama Diatta
HPI: 31.99
Sokhna Lacoste
2000 - Present
HPI: 19.42
Kim Jin-yi
HPI: 14.37