Rui Hachimura has been named as one of Japan's Opening Ceremony flagbearers ©Getty Images

Basketball player Rui Hachimura and wrestler Yui Susaki have been announced as Japan’s flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) confirmed the pair will have the honour for their home Olympics.

The joint flagbearer announcement follows the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) confirmation that nations could select a male and female athlete together.

Both athletes will fly the flag at the Opening Ceremony on July 23.

Hachimura was born in Toyama Prefecture to a Japanese mother and a Beninese father.

He became the first Japanese player to be chosen in the first round of the National Basketball Association draft when he was selected by the Washington Wizards in 2019.

The 23-year-old won three consecutive All-Japan High School tournaments in Meisei High School in Sendai, before travelling to the United States to represent Gonzaga University in the NCAA.

He was awarded the Julius Erving Award for the best small forward in 2019.

Two-time wrestling world champion Yui Susaki will share flagbearer duties ©Getty Images
Two-time wrestling world champion Yui Susaki will share flagbearer duties ©Getty Images

"The Tokyo Olympics is the stage I've always dreamed of," Hachimura said.

"I am very honoured to have such a big role.

"Your health and safety are our top priorities right now, but I hope that many people, including children all over Japan, will take this opportunity to watch the performance of my team mates and myself nationwide during the Olympic Games.

"It would be great if they will be more even more people interested in basketball and sports."

Hachimura will share the flagbearer honour with Susaki, a two-time world champion in wrestling.

The 22-year-old won her first senior title in 2017 in the women’s 48 kilogram division, before claiming gold in the 50kg event the following year.

She also won Junior World Championship gold in 2018 and 2019, as well as being crowned cadet world champion three times as a teenager.

Sasaki said she had been inspired to compete at the Olympics after watching Saori Yoshida, who won three consecutive gold medals from Athens 2004 through to London 2012.

"In 2013, when I left my family and joined the JOC elite academy programme it was decided that the Olympic Games would be held in Tokyo, and I have always wanted to win a gold medal," Sasaki said.

"I am grateful to be able to stand on the Olympic stage under such circumstances, and I will do my best to fulfil the role I have been given."