Kristian Jubani will box for Ireland at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
This edition of the Games marks a historic moment as the first Olympic event ever to be held on the African continent, bringing together 4,500 athletes aged 15 to 18 across more than 30 sports. Boxing will take place November 8th to 12th.
Kristian is the current European U19 silver medalist at the weight, and was the 2025 European U17 champions. He is also this year’s Four Nations 50kg champion. Kristian, of Crumlin Boxing Club, is a multiple national champion, having claimed titles across various underage brackets including the National U17, National Junior 1 and Junior Cadet Championships
For Team Ireland, Dakar represents an opportunity to introduce youth athletes to a multi-sport world stage and strengthen continuity between youth events and the senior Olympic Games.
Ireland holds a proud history at the Youth Olympic Games, starting with Ryan Burnett’s gold medal at Singapore 2010, followed by medals from Ciara Ginty, Michael Gallagher, and Dearbhla Rooney
All images: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Team Ireland Athletes
Hannah Shochan will compete in Badminton Girls’ Singles. Aged 15, she is the youngest member of the team and previously represented Ireland at the EYOF in Skopje 2025. Shochan trains with South Dublin Badminton Club and is a Transition Year student.
Kristian Jublani will compete in the Men’s 50kg Boxing category. Continuing Ireland’s proud tradition in youth boxing, the 17‑year‑old Crumlin Boxing Club athlete arrives in Dakar following a standout performance at the European U19 Championships last week, where he won silver.
Kate Dunne will represent Ireland in Coastal Rowing, competing in the Women’s Solos in the Beach Sprints. A member of Wicklow Rowing Club, 17-year-old Dunne’s selection comes at a significant moment for the sport, with Dakar marking the first time an IOC event includes coastal rowing. Beach sprints will also feature on the Olympic programme for the first time at LA2028, positioning Dunne at the forefront of the growing discipline.
Team Ireland Youth Olympic Games Schedule
| DATE | SPORT | ATHLETE |
| 31 October | Opening Ceremony | Team |
| 31 October | Rowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo TT 1 | Kate Dunne |
| 1 November | Badminton Women’s Singles Group | Hannah Shochan |
| 1 November | Rowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo TT 2 | Kate Dunne |
| 2 November | Badminton Women’s Singles Group | Hannah Shochan |
| 2 November | Rowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo Last 16 | Kate Dunne |
| 3 November | Badminton Women’s Singles Group | Hannah Shochan |
| 3 November | Rowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo Last 8 | Kate Dunne |
| 4 November | Badminton Women’s Singles QF SF | Hannah Shochan |
| 5 November | Badminton Women’s Singles Final | Hannah Shochan |
| 8 November | Boxing Men’s 50k Preliminary | Kristian Jublani |
| 10 November | Boxing Men’s 50k QF | Kristian Jublani |
| 11 November | Boxing Men’s 50k SF | Kristian Jublani |
| 12 November | Boxing Men’s 50k Final | Kristian Jublani |
| 13 November | Closing Ceremony | Team |