Muchirahondo and Han named NZ Team flag bearers for Dakar 2026 

Swimmer Ariel Muchirahondo and table tennis athlete Angel Han have been named Ngā Pou Hāpai (flag bearers) for the New Zealand Team as the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games gets underway in Senegal. 

The pair will have the honour of carrying the New Zealand flag and leading the team at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 31 October (local time). 

Pou Hāpai Tāne (male flag bearer) Muchirahondo said the honour came as a complete surprise. 

“It’s an honour and a privilege and I hope I can do it justice. To have the chance to carry the flag and represent New Zealand on the world stage is really special,” said Muchirahondo. 

“When I got the call I thought maybe I hadn't signed something or hadn't got a form in, so when they told me I was the flag bearer, I was in a bit of shock. 

“It was when I was lying in bed that night that it really hit home that I was going to carry the flag at the Youth Olympic Games. There was shock, pride, nerves - all of the emotions. 

“I never really considered that it could be me carrying the flag. I think when the moment comes I'll feel on top of the world. I can't wait for it,” he said. 

Pou Hāpai Wahine (female flag bearer) Han had an equally memorable reaction to finding out. 

“I’m so excited. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the chances of receiving an honour like this are so small, so I can’t wait,” said Han. 

“I'd just finished school and was in my room when I got the news. I started jumping up and down and my mum was in the kitchen and thought there was an earthquake! She ran over and started eavesdropping on the conversation and we were both really excited. 

“Hopefully I don’t trip up on stage! I know my family will be watching and will be proud of me, so I want to do them and New Zealand proud,” she said. 

New Zealand Team Chef de Mission, Evelyn Williamson #OLY 865, said both athletes are well deserving of the honour. 

“Ariel and Angel are two promising young athletes who have already shown a huge amount of dedication to their sports,” said Williamson. 

“Their sports identified them as athletes who would represent the New Zealand Team with pride and they both bring the qualities we look for in our Ngā Pou Hāpai. They're hardworking, grounded and committed to representing New Zealand to the best of their ability. 

“This is a special opportunity for Ariel and Angel and I know they'll lead their teammates with pride at the Opening Ceremony,” said Williamson. 

Muchirahondo heads to Dakar after claiming silver in the Men’s 100m Backstroke at the 2026 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Vancouver. He has also broken multiple New Zealand national age-group records previously held by Olympic champion Danyon Loader.  

Han earned selection after winning a Youth Olympic Games Under 17 trial. She also won the 2026 North Island Under 15 Girls title and the Open Women’s Singles title at the Table Tennis New Zealand Top X Invitational. 

The Dakar 2026 Opening Ceremony will take place at the 55,000-capacity Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio, around 30 kilometres from Dakar, on Saturday evening. The ceremony is scheduled for 6.30pm local time and will feature the athletes' parade, Olympic traditions and a celebration of Senegalese and African culture.  

Dakar 2026 is the first Olympic sporting event to be held in Africa, with around 2,700 young athletes set to compete.  

The Games run from 31 October to 13 November, with the New Zealand Team represented by 18 athletes.  

New Zealand Team – Dakar 2026 

Archery 
Ella Yang - Women’s Individual Recurve 
Thornton Wallberg - Men’s Individual Recurve 
Yang and Wallberg have also been granted permission to compete in the Mixed Team Recurve event.  

Badminton 
Amy Wang - Women’s Singles 
Tony Yu - Men’s Singles  

Boxing 
Huriwaka Dean 
Lea Newman  

Equestrian 
Sofia Williams - Jumping  

Fencing 
Bowie Wang - Women’s Individual Foil  

Gymnastics - Artistic 
Ella Thomas - Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Individual All-Around 
William Davies - Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Individual All-Around 
Thomas and Davies have also been granted permission to compete in the Artistic Gymnastics Mixed Team Event.  

Sailing 
Honor Fyfe - Women’s Windsurfing  

Swimming 
Alyssa Lawson - Women’s 100m Freestyle 
Ariel Muchirahondo - Men’s 200m Backstroke  

Table Tennis 
Anzhuo (Angel) Han - Women’s Singles 
August Xiao - Men’s Singles 
Han and Xiao have also been granted permission to compete in the Mixed Doubles event.  

Triathlon 
Matthew More - Men’s Individual Triathlon  

Wrestling 
Wairangi Sargent - Men’s 70kg Beach Wrestling  

Wushu 
Amber Zhou