HURIWAKA DEAN HEADED FOR THE 2026 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

HURIWAKA DEAN SELECTED FOR THE 2026 YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

Box Office Boxing athlete among just two New Zealand boxers selected to represent the country in Dakar, Senegal.

Box Office Boxing Incorporated is incredibly proud to celebrate the selection of 17-year-old Huriwaka Dean to represent New Zealand at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

Huriwaka is one of only two boxing athletes selected to the New Zealand Olympic Team, marking an extraordinary milestone in his young sporting career and another proud moment in the history of Box Office Boxing.

An Outstanding Performance on the World Stage

Huriwaka’s selection follows his impressive performance at the 2026 World Boxing Under-19 Futures Cup in Thailand earlier this year.

Competing against some of the world’s leading young boxing talents, Huriwaka finished equal fifth in a field of 33 athletes, securing three consecutive unanimous decision victories.

His performance demonstrated the skill, discipline and determination that have become hallmarks of his development as an amateur boxer.

A Journey Built on Dedication

Training out of Box Office Boxing in New Plymouth, Huriwaka has developed an impressive record of achievements, including multiple New Zealand national titles and international Golden Gloves success.

His selection for the Youth Olympic Games represents years of commitment, countless hours of training and the continued support of his coaches, family, teammates and wider boxing community.

A Proud Moment for Box Office Boxing

For a community boxing club established in an old scout hall in Bell Block in 2007, having an athlete selected for the Youth Olympic Games is a significant achievement.

It reflects the club’s continued commitment to developing young athletes and providing opportunities to progress from grassroots boxing to the international stage.

Huriwaka’s selection is not only a personal accomplishment but also an inspiration to the next generation of young boxers coming through Box Office Boxing.

Representing New Zealand in Dakar

The 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games are taking place in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 13 November,