Flagbearers in judo: Ange Ciella Niragira (BUR)

Ange Ciella Niragira is a Christmas baby born in 2002 and judoka from Burundi, a country she proudly represents on the international stage. Although she might be one of the lesser-known athletes, her determination and achievements in judo have made her a trailblazer for her nation. On Friday, she will have the honor of carrying the Burundian flag at the Parade of Nations at the scenic Seine in Paris, marking a significant moment for her and her country.

Ange Ciella's journey in judo began early, and she has steadily progressed through the ranks. She competes in the -78 kg weight category, having previously participated in the -70 kg category. Her international debut came at the 2018 World Championships in Baku, where she competed in the -70 kg category. Despite an early exit in the first round, it marked the beginning of her presence on the global judo scene.

In 2024, Ange Ciella participated in the IJF World Championships in Abu Dhabi, finishing 17th in the women's -78 kg category. While her World Championship outings have been challenging, she has shown resilience and growth in other competitions. Notably, she secured a bronze medal at the 2023 African Championships in Casablanca and finished fifth at the 2024 African Championships in Cairo.

Her success extends to the African Open tournaments, where she has collected four medals across different cities in 2023 and 2024. This includes a gold medal at the 2024 African Open in Luanda and a silver medal at the 2024 African Open in Abidjan. These achievements highlight her growing prowess and potential in judo.

Ange Ciella's early career also saw her compete in the African Cadet and Junior Championships, where she consistently placed fifth in the -70 kg category. In 2019, she participated in the Cadet World Championships in Almaty, finishing 13th.

Ange Ciella is fluent in French and Kirundi, and she maintains an active presence on social media, sharing her journey with her followers on Facebook and Instagram. Her preferred technique in judo is harai-goshi, a testament to her technical skill and strategic approach to the sport.

Burundi won gold in Athletics in 1996 in Atlanta and silver in Rio 2016, so far no other sports were successful.

Ange Ciella has the support and resources of the International Judo Federation to continue her development and aim for higher achievements. Her role as the flag bearer for Burundi at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is not just a personal honor but also a significant milestone for her country.

Judo Flagbearers so far (updated Thursday)

Amina Belkadi (ALG)

Ange Ciella Niragira (BUR)

Anna-Maria Wagner (GER)

Arnold Kisoka (COD)

Barbara Matic (CRO)

Djamila Silva (CPV)

Erlan Sherov (KGZ)

Gultaj Mammadaliyeva (AZE)

Hugo Cumbo (VAN)

Idalys Ortiz (CUB)

Iza Marenco (NCA)

Juan Postigos (PER)

Klen Kristofer Kaljulaid (EST)

Krisztian Toth (HUN)

Manita Shrestha Pradhan (NEP)

Maryam March Maharani (INA)

Michaela Polleres (AUT)

Nora and Akil Gjakova (KOS)

Peter Paltchik (ISR)

Philippe Abel Mettelus (HAI)

Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella (CAM)

Serdar Rahimov (TKM)

Temur Rakhimov (TJK)

Valentin Houinato (BEN)