Evra King competes at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal; Berth to Youth Olympics on horizon.

Dakar 2026: Rising star Evra King on finding patience, creativity and purpose in beach volleyball

The young South African player is eyeing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal.

When South Africa’s Evra King woke up on the final day of the 2026 CAVB U18 Beach Volleyball Youth Development Cup in Dakar, Senegal, the 17-year-old did not want to play.

South Africa were scheduled to face Namibia in a play-off match on 13 August.

“I was like, ‘seventh and eighth [playoff] match, it means nothing’. I wanted the tournament to be over," said King, who would later suffer from a stomach bug. “I wasn’t feeling ill yet, but I didn’t want to play the match.”

They could have chosen not to play, but King and his playing partner Duncan Edwards opted to fight on the court.

“I realised that that is not the attitude I should ever have when it comes to volleyball,” King told Olympics.com .

Despite being exhausted under the bright sun of Saly, King pushed through as South Africa beat Namibia 2-0 .

“Every match counts towards your development as a player,” King reflected. “Every match has something to teach you.

“It wasn’t about what position we got, but it was about finishing the tournament on a high and pushing through all the difficulties.”

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King and Edwards were among the 32 young players in Senegal competing in the development event, which was funded by Olympic Solidarity in collaboration with FIVB and CAVB.

“It’s about time that Africa grows their young athletes because there’s a lot of hidden talents that are finally being seen, finally being able to be developed by such amazing events like this,” King said of the tournament.

The development event was also used to prepare players for the upcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, and King believes such opportunities will help Africa make more of a mark on the international stage.

“It’s not just about winning like in other tournaments,” he said. “They’re just about the medals, about rewards, the results.

“This development cup is a completely different event that is meant purely for our development and growing Africa as a continent in terms of volleyball.”

Evra King’s journey to sport

Although beach volleyball is his passion, King has tried his hand at many other sports, after first being introduced to football at the age of four by father Adrian. He also trained in swimming, netball, basketball and cricket before finding fencing at a small French club in Johannesburg.

Beneath the fencing hall was an indoor volleyball court and his sister encouraged him to try the sport.

“That was probably the most pivotal moment of my entire life,” he said.

After playing for Quantum Volleyball Club for three years as a libero, he joined Spikeroo Volleyball Club before eventually being scouted by Gauteng Volleyball Union and asked to join their beach volleyball programme.

“And that’s how we’re here today,” he said with a broad smile.

For the South African teenager, beach volleyball is the perfect sport, and much of that comes down to the location – the beach.

“I walk out of my villa, there’s the sun shining, there’s the beach, there’s all these amazing people, there’s food. I get to play the sport I love and I get to go run in the sea.

“This is where it’s at.”

Evra King on the psychological aspect of beach volleyball: “It’s one of the hardest mental sports”

King also believes the sport brings out the artistic side of him.

“It allows you to express yourself in a creative way with your shots and how you play the game,” he said.

While height and strength are important qualities for a beach volleyball player, King explained that the psychological aspect of the game is also important.

“It’s one of the hardest mental sports I’ve ever played,” he explained. “I actually have a coach back home that says that the physical side of volleyball is only 10 per cent of the game. The rest is 90 per cent mental.”

While results are important, the young athlete stresses the value of patience and trusting in his development process.

“Progress takes time," he said. “You can’t expect to go up against some of the best countries in Africa or in the world as a new player and expect to play well.

“You cannot expect to just immediately fly through all your expectations.”

The sport also requires you to find the ideal playing partnerm and for King, that is Edwards. They have been playing together for more than eight months and Edwards compares their partnership to a friendship.

“If there’s no communication, it doesn’t work,” he said to Olympics.com. “Obviously, you’re going to have your ups and downs but more agree on things.

“If you don’t know your partner, you just won’t play nearly as well. You need that relationship. You build together more.”

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How family has helped King on his sporting journey

Behind King’s progress is the consistent support of his family and father, Adrian, who travels with him to competitions.

“Travelling with my dad is an amazing privilege. I don’t think I would have played or had the same experience as I did if he wasn’t here,” King shared, adding: “He is my guidance, he’s my unpaid manager.”

For Adrian, sharing his son’s journey is an investment as well as a privilege.

“It’s all about just not wanting to miss those big moments in your child’s life. And sport produces big moments, learning, growing moments. Moments of joy, moments of pain,” he said to Olympics.com.

“We believe that sport changes lives,” he continued. “The Olympic ethos that is coming through here, the spirit of unity, togetherness, an end goal that isn’t necessarily winning but is about competing.”

Looking ahead to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

King and Edwards hope to compete at Dakar 2026, with King saying of the Games: “What a time for Africa and young people. What a time for Africans.”

The chance to take part in the first Olympic event to take place on African soil fills the young athlete with excitement.

“It’s so special being selected for such an amazing and prestigious tournament, especially it being Africa’s first Olympic Games,” he said.

And when he arrives in Senegal, his goal will be simple: to play his heart out and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“The biggest thing I want to achieve is really just represent South Africa as well as I can," he said.

“I know there are a lot of amazing countries from Europe, and I don’t think we can at our level currently compete against them, but I want to go and represent myself as best as I can.”

For father Adrian, the prospect of his son going to the Games goes far beyond the field of play.

“To become an Olympian, you’re not only an elite athlete, you’re a person of stature, a person who’s grown into who they are,” he said.

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