Backstroke gold for Muchirahondo at Dakar 2026

New Zealand Team swimmer Ariel Muchirahondo has led from start to finish to claim gold in the 200m backstroke at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The win was his first international title and made him the first New Zealand swimmer to stand on the top step of the podium at a Youth Olympic Games.

Muchirahondo knew just 50 metres into the 200m backstroke final at Dakar 2026 that he would never let go of his early lead.

The New Zealand swimmer could not stop smiling after the race and on the medal podium, having finished 3.59 seconds ahead of silver medallist Parsa Shahshahani (IRI) at Tour de l'Oeuf on Sunday (local time).

“It’s just adrenaline, shock, happiness," Muchirahondo said. “It's pretty tricky to describe it. I just feel on top of the world, I'd say.

“The race hurt, but it was worth it. It's always worth it in the end. This is just a testament to the work I've put in. When you do something 100 times in training, it becomes natural.

“I don't think it's about who's the fastest, I just think it's who's the best at handling their nerves on the day. Maybe I did go in as a favourite, I didn't really consider that. I was just focusing on doing the best I could.”

Muchirahondo also had his own way of dealing with competition nerves.

“It kind of helped to put cold water on myself," he said.

“I just focused on the sensation of how cold it is. It just keeps my mind off the race. I also focused on breathing. I've done this lots of times before.”

Inspired by French swimming star Leon Marchand, he was able to hold his nerve when it mattered most.

“Of course I thought about him,"  the 17-year-old said of his idol. “He inspires me a lot. The things he does, the style he has, is something I’m working on in training too. Obviously I am not as fast as him, but I think my underwater (strokes) are getting better and hopefully one day I will be able to compete with him.”

With a first Youth Olympic Games gold medal now under his belt, Muchirahondo said he gained confidence ahead of the races coming up next.

“It shows that I can compete with some of the best, young swimmers so far. I think it gives me the advantage of having done it before that other swimmers haven’t yet.”