New Zealand name rugby 7s star Sarah Hirini and rowing champion Hamish Bond as flag bearers

New Zealand has announced their Nga Pou Hapai (flag bearers) at an event in Auckland to mark exactly one month to go until the Opening Ceremony of Tokyo 2020 on 23 July 2021.

Black Ferns rugby sevens captain Sarah Hirini and two-time Olympic champion Hamish Bond have been selected to represent more than 210 athletes - potentially New Zealand's largest Olympic team.

It will be the first time a male and female athlete have jointly carried the New Zealand flag at an Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games.

Hirini, 28, is a world renowned rugby player and became the first women's player to reach 200 matches on the World Series. She has an impressive list of accolades including two World Cups, a Commonwealth Games gold medal and six World Series titles.

There isn't much the 28-year-old hasn't accomplished in her career - both on and off the park.

READ MORE: How Rio changed the Black Ferns 7s

“This means so much to me and my family,” said the Rio 2016 silver medallist. “Being able to carry the flag and represent the women’s sevens team and the wider New Zealand Team at the Opening Ceremony is going to be such a huge honour. I can’t wait to represent my country at these Games.”

Hamish Bond echoed Hirini's comments.

“If you look back on the people who have been our flag bearers over the years it’s a pretty amazing bunch of athletes, so to be bestowed this opportunity is really special to me."

With his fourth Olympic Games on the horizon, Bond could be on the hunt for his third consecutive gold medal at Tokyo 2020 after topping the podium at London 2012 and Rio 2016 with partner Eric Murray.

The 35-year-old, who will feature in the men's eight, only returned to the sport in 2019 after switching from cycling, where he won Commonwealth Games bronze in the time trial.

“Our flag bearers have represented us with distinction, pride and respect in the past and I’m really honoured to be adding my name to that list,” he added.

Bond was presented with Te Māhutonga, the New Zealand team’s Kākahu (cloak) by Chef de Mission Rob Waddell. The feather cloak is traditionally worn by the nation's flag bearer at both summer and winter Olympic Games.

Hirini, the two-time Sevens World Cup champion, learned of her selection in a private ceremony ahead of the Black Ferns departure to Australia ahead of the Oceania 7s. But her reaction to donning the Kākahu and being named flag bearer (Te Pou Hapai Wahine) was pre-recorded and broadcast at the event.

“Sarah and Hamish are outstanding athletes and are also leaders off the field of play,” said New Zealand Team Chef de Mission Rob Waddell.

“These athletes are role models and bring a huge amount of mana to our team. I’m extremely proud to be naming them as flag bearers."

"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity"

With just 30 days until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, preparations are in full swing for members of New Zealand's Olympic team.

With 136 athletes selected so far, the first teams are set to arrive in Japan in the next couple of weeks for heat acclimation and pre-camps.

“This will be a Games like no other but we are doing everything necessary to support the incredible focus and commitment to excellence of the New Zealand Team athletes,” said Waddell.

“For most athletes, the Olympic Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"They’re really looking forward to competing in Tokyo and giving it everything they’ve got against the best athletes in the world.”