Lawson Signs Off From Youth Olympic Games With Two Silvers

Day Five Wrap – 2026 Youth Olympic Games

Photo Credit: OIS/Jonathan Nackstrand

Alyssa Lawson (Hamilton Aquatics / St Andrew’s – coached by Ash Delaney) brought her Youth Olympic Games campaign to a close on day five in Dakar, placing 21st in the women’s 50m backstroke.

After a week of freestyle, the 16-year-old flipped onto her back for the 50m backstroke, racing in heat four and clocking 30.93 to finish fourth in her heat and 21st overall.

It was the final swim of a campaign that delivered two silver medals for the teenager. Lawson took silver in the 100m freestyle on day two, matching her personal best of 56.13, and added a second in the 50m freestyle on day four, clocking 25.74.

Lawson also enjoyed fantastic support throughout her campaign, with family travelling to Dakar to cheer her on and proudly take their place as Team New Zealand’s support squad in the stands.

Alongside Ariel Muchirahondo, she is one of only two New Zealand swimmers to win multiple medals at a Youth Olympic Games. Together, the pair have collected five medals in the pool in Dakar, two gold and three silver.

The final day of racing in Dakar will see Ariel Muchirahondo take on the men's 200m freestyle.

Live coverage is available on olympics.com, with daily highlights on Sky Sport. See your TV guide for more information.

Livestream

Schedule & Results

Daily schedule

Entries and start times are subject to change.

*Progression to finals subject to qualification.

Day Six – Friday 6 November

• Heats from 10:00am local, 11:00pm NZDT (6 November NZDT)

  • 11:36pm NZDT – Men's 200m freestyle heat – Ariel Muchirahondo

    
    

• Finals from 3:30pm local, 4:30am NZDT (7 November NZDT)

  • 4:34am NZDT – Men's 200m freestyle final – Ariel Muchirahondo*

Results by Swimmer

Ariel Muchirahondo (Swim Rotorua) – 2 x GOLD, 1 x SILVER

• Men's 200m backstroke – gold medal (final: 1:59.15; heat: 2:02.06)

• Men's 100m backstroke – gold medal (final: 55.69; heat: 55.36)

• Men's 200m individual medley – silver medal (final: 2:01.66; heat: 2:03.99)

• Men's 200m freestyle

Alyssa Lawson (Hamilton Aquatics / St Andrew's) – 2 x SILVER

• Women's 100m freestyle – silver medal (final: 56.13 – PB; heat: 56.53)

• Women's 50m freestyle – silver medal (final: 25.74; heat: 25.92)

• Women's 50m backstroke – 21st place (heat: 30.93)

New Zealand team

Name	Club	Role
Aidan Withington	Swim Rotorua	Head Coach

Name	Club	Coach
Alyssa Lawson	Hamilton Aquatics & St Andrew's	Ash Delaney (AUS)
Ariel Muchirahondo	Swim Rotorua	Aidan Withington