Ben Cheikh set to lead Tunisian delegation as flag bearer in Tokyo

The Tunisian National Olympic Committee announced that volleyball national team captain Mehdi Ben Cheikh and fencer Ines Boubakri would be the two flag bearers for Tunisia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

As the most senior member of the Tunisian team, Ben Cheikh was able to push his teammates to secure the Olympic qualification ticket at the continental qualification tournament in Cairo, Egypt.

Now 42, Ben Cheikh will be making his second Olympic appearance after his debut at London 2012.

The men’s volleyball team is Tunisia’s lone entry in a team sport in the Olympics, but the team has given honour to the country with a record of seven qualifications.

The seasoned setter was selected captain of the Tokyo 2020 squad and will lead teammates Ahmed Kadhi, Khaled Ben Slimene, Mohamed Ali Ben Othmen, Elyes Karamosli, Omar Agrebi, Hamza Nagga, Ismail Moalla, Selim Mbarki, Wassim Ben Tara, Aymen, Bouguerra and Saddem Hmissi.

The Tunisians will face Brazil, France, the United States, Argentina and Russia in the preliminary round, which will begin on July 24.