Youth Olympic Games | Jubani departs for Dakar

Team Ireland’s Kristian Jubani is departing for Dakar, and the Youth Olympic Games today.

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

Boxing takes place at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop on November 7th to 12th, and 50kg prelims will be boxed on November 8th. Quarter finals take place on the 10th, with semis on November 11th. All finals will be contested on November 12th.

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

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.

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
DATESPORTATHLETE
31 OctoberOpening CeremonyTeam
31 OctoberRowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo TT 1Kate Dunne
1 NovemberBadminton Women’s Singles GroupHannah Shochan
1 NovemberRowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo TT 2Kate Dunne
2 NovemberBadminton Women’s Singles GroupHannah Shochan
2 NovemberRowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo Last 16Kate Dunne
3 NovemberBadminton Women’s Singles GroupHannah Shochan
3 NovemberRowing Beach Sprints Women’s Solo Last 8Kate Dunne
4 NovemberBadminton Women’s Singles QF SFHannah Shochan
5 NovemberBadminton Women’s Singles FinalHannah Shochan
8 NovemberBoxing Men’s 50k PreliminaryKristian Jublani
10 NovemberBoxing Men’s 50k QFKristian Jublani
11 NovemberBoxing Men’s 50k SFKristian Jublani
12 NovemberBoxing Men’s 50k FinalKristian Jublani
13 NovemberClosing CeremonyTeam