NZ Team grows ahead of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has confirmed a further group of athletes selected to represent the New Zealand Team at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The selections span Wrestling, Swimming, Archery, Skateboarding and Fencing, reflecting the diversity of sports in the Youth Olympic Games programme.

NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol congratulated the athletes on their selection.

“This is a special moment for each of these athletes and their families. To be selected for the New Zealand Team is a significant achievement and something they’ve all worked hard for,” said Nicol.

“It’s exciting to see such a diverse group of sports represented. The Youth Olympic Games programme provides opportunities in events that are unique and evolving and it's pleasing to see our rangitahi making the most of this opportunity.”

In Wrestling, Wairangi Sargent has been selected in the Men’s 70kg Beach Wrestling event.

In Swimming, Alyssa Lawson has been selected in the Women’s 100m Freestyle.

Ariel Muchirahondo has been selected in the Men’s 200m Backstroke.

Both athletes have requested additional entries to further Swimming events.

Te Rauroha Paki and Madeleine Wilson have been named as non-travelling reserves for Swimming.

In Archery, Ella Yang and Thornton Wallberg have been selected in the Individual Recurve events. Both athletes have also been granted permission to compete in the Mixed Team Recurve event.

Jessica Ready has been selected in the Women’s Skateboarding Street event.

Bowie Wang is selected in the Women’s Individual Foil event in Fencing.

Nicol said the Youth Olympic Games give young athletes a taste of what it’s like to represent New Zealand at a multi-sport games. 

“This is a chance to wear the fern with pride and represent Aotearoa in an Olympic environment. We know how much that means to athletes at any age, and we're sure it will be no different for this group,” said Nicol. 

“We encourage them to make the most of every moment. Dakar 2026 will offer experiences that go well beyond competition, including the opportunity to visit and learn about a part of the world that many of their peers may never travel to.” 

“These Games are about growth, learning and connection. We’re proud to support these athletes as they take this step and wish them every success.” 

NZ Team selections for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games: 

Wrestling 

• Wairangi Sargent - Men’s 70kg Beach Wrestling 

Swimming 

• Alyssa Lawson - Women’s 100m Freestyle  

• Ariel Muchirahondo - Men’s 200m Backstroke  

Non-travelling reserves 

• Te Rauroha Paki - Men’s 200m Backstroke  

• Madeleine Wilson - Women’s 100m Freestyle  

Archery 

• Ella Yang - Women’s Individual Recurve 

• Thornton Wallberg - Men’s Individual Recurve  

Permission to start: Mixed Team Recurve (both athletes) 

Skateboarding 

• Jessica Ready – Women's Skateboarding Street 

Fencing 

• Bowie Wang – Women's Individual Foil 

NZ Team Bios - Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games 

Beach Wrestling 

Wairangi Sargent – Men’s 70kg Beach Wrestling 
Wairangi Sargent is the 2025 and 2026 Oceania Champion in 70kg Beach Wrestling and has won gold at both of his 2026 70kg Beach Wrestling events.  

Sargent has also won gold at every Beach Wrestling tournament he has entered to date and has been a leading freestyle wrestler in his division for several years.  

Swimming 

Alyssa Lawson – Women’s 100m Freestyle 
Alyssa Lawson placed seventh in the Women’s 100m Freestyle at the 2026 New Zealand Open Championships in a time of 56.94, becoming the only age-eligible swimmer to reach the Open final.  

Her performances across the season include a personal best of 56.21 at the Queensland Championships and 56.75 at the Australian Age Group Championships, demonstrating consistent progression at international level.  

Lawson represented New Zealand at the 2025 World Junior Championships, finishing inside the top 30 in both the 50m and 100m Freestyle and contributing to an 11th place finish in the Medley Relay.  

Ariel Muchirahondo – Men’s 200m Backstroke 
Ariel Muchirahondo won the 200m Backstroke at the 2026 New Zealand Open Championships in 1:59.07, setting a new New Zealand U17 record.  

His performance ranks among the best globally at his age, with the time equivalent to seventh place at the 2025 World Junior Championships and third fastest among 17-year-olds.  

Muchirahondo has also competed at the World Junior Championships and, in 2026, recorded multiple victories at the Australian Age Group Championships.  

Archery 

Ella Yang – Women’s Individual Recurve 
Ella Yang won the U18 Women’s Recurve title at the 2026 National Championships and also claimed gold at the Oceania Championships.  

She has gained additional international experience through training camps in Australia and China.  

Thornton Wallberg – Men’s Individual Recurve 
Thornton Wallberg placed second at the 2026 National Championships and won gold at the Continental Championships in the U18 Men’s Recurve.  

He has competed at the World Archery Youth Championships, building experience at international level.  

Skateboarding 

Jessica Ready – Women’s Skateboarding Street 
Jessica Ready is a four-time New Zealand National Open Women’s Street Champion, winning titles in 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026.  

She has competed at International Open level since 2023, including a bronze medal at the 2025 X Games and a 15th place finish at the 2026 World Skate World Championships.  

Ready is currently ranked 21st in the world and has consistently finished inside the top 30 at elite-level events over the past three years.  

Fencing 

Bowie Wang – Women’s Individual Foil 
Bowie Wang is currently ranked number one in New Zealand in both the U20 and U17 categories and won the U17 national title in 2026. She is ranked number three in the Open rankings. 

She has recorded international victories over higher-ranked athletes at the 2025 World Junior Championships and 2025 Asian Senior Championships and placed 16th at the 2026 Asian Cadet Championships.  

She is also the current New Zealand Secondary Schools Foil Champion and a member of the Fencing New Zealand Athletes’ Commission.