Rwanda has moved up 10 places to 83rd in the latest World Karate Federation (WKF) ranking released this week.

This follows the national team’s strong showing at the 15th Senior African Karate Championship concluded last weekend in Senegal.

But the country dropped to 10th in Africa after it lost the ninth spot to Cameroon, who put up a great performance at the tournament.

Before the competition in which one of the 16-member squad, Solange Gashagaza Ingabire, 20, won a bronze medal,  Rwanda was ranked 93rd worldwide and ninth in Africa.

"We put up a good showing that enabled us to move up ten places in the world ranking but, in Africa, Cameroon (ninth) which had a very big delegation at the tournament went ahead of us because of its many Europe based professionals,” said National Karate Federation (Ferwaka) technical director Guy Didier Rurangayire.

Rwanda was represented by 16 players, the biggest ever delegation in an international tournament. Cameroon had over 20 players. This was relatively a small contingent for all the competition categories.

"Our players reached four semi-finals. The fighters wrapped up lots of points and showed character. We are looking forward to perform even better at the All African Games in Congo Brazzaville in September 2015.”

Egypt, now number worldwide after moving up one place, continues to dominate African Karate after it swept 12 gold medals, two silvers and one bronze at the tournament.