Rwanda’s top six taekwondo martial athletes have started daily training sessions ahead of the forthcoming World Taekwondo Championships slated for May 12-18 at Traktor Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

The team which is coached by Martin Koonce trains at the National Paralympic gymnasium at Amahoro stadium.

Rwanda made its debut at the World Taekwondo Championships in 2013, with two representatives- Placide Bagabo and Zura Mushambokazi, who were knocked out in the first round with Bagabo losing 4-3 at hands of a Nepalese while Mushambokazi was defeated 14-4 by a Thai national.

Russia was selected ahead of Vietnam and Brazil to host the 22nd edition of the biannual competition. The 21st edition was staged at Exhibition Center of Puebla in Mexico.

At the 2013 championships in Mexico, Rwanda was represented by only two fighters. An increase from two to six representatives this year is a good progress and sign that local taekwondo development is on course, according to Rwanda Taekwondo Federation’s secretary general Placide Bagabo.

Full team

Men: Martin Nduwayezu (54kgs), Regis Iyumva (58kgs), Placide Bagabo (63kgs), Savio Nizeyimana (68kgs).

Women: Delphine Uwababyeyi (46kgs), Zura Mushambokazi (49kgs).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw