Record-breaking gymnast Misha Koudinov headlines a strong NZ team named for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The 30-year-old will be competing at his fifth Commonwealth Games, after making his first appearance at the Melbourne edition in 2006.
"As my fifth Commonwealth Games approaches, I am having more fun with my training than ever before," Koudinov said.
"This selection affirms my training methods and reflects a lifestyle grounded in well-being and sports longevity.
"This selection also plays an important part in our future development, providing an enormous amount of experience for our team, as well as motivation for the future generation of New Zealand athletes. We’re all looking forward to this Commonwealth adventure and receiving the higher energy that such events bring to our growth."
The two-time Olympian is part of a good mix of experience and youth selected for the Games. Ethan Dick, who is currently studying and training at Penn State University, will be heading into his second Commonwealth Games.
Younger brother, Sam Dick, will be making his Commonwealth Games debut, alongside Fu Allen and O’Connell-Inns.
Havana Hopman and Paris Chin have been selected for the rhythmic gymnastics team. The pair have attended multiple World Cups and international tournaments throughout Europe this year.
"I am very excited, and my emotions are high. I am honoured and proud to represent my country," Hopman said.
"We’ve had a lot of challenges in the last two years, but Havana has worked very hard to achieve her goal of representing New Zealand in Birmingham, and we are very proud of her," added Tracey Redhead, who coaches Havana alongside Elena Pirozhenko.
Chin called her Commonwealth call-up "an honour".
"When I was younger, I watched other gymnasts compete at the Commonwealth Games and I always hoped that one day, I would get the chance," she said.
"Now that I'm heading to Birmingham, I hope to be an inspiration for all the other young girls in rhythmic gymnastics to achieve their hopes and dreams because they can come true when you work hard, have the right people to help you get there, and good luck on your side."
