Fitnesspoint, a fitness and wellness centre, held a “Taekwondo Testing Day” on August 2 as an exclusive package for children. This was based on the fact that sports are highly recommended for children, and above all, that martial arts help young people develop good behaviour and stay healthy as they grow. The testing took place in the aerobics room of Fitnesspoint’s Remera branch, bringing together over 40 children from different parts of Kigali to upgrade their belts in Taekwondo. The event was attended by experienced masters with international training and other role models. “Belt promotion is a way of recognising the progress a Taekwondo student makes in their training and appreciating the effort and dedication they put in,” noted Jean-Claude Habimana, head coach and president of Special Line Up Taekwondo Club in Rwanda. “To support the children training in the Fitnesspoint gym programme together with the Special Line Up Taekwondo Club, as well as in other locations we reach, we engage in teaching Taekwondo to help them achieve their dreams and become role models,” he said. Habimana explained that students get lessons about the core values of Taekwondo-discipline, respect, and perseverance. “This helps them improve their physical fitness and technical skills, monitor their progress and provide developmental guidance, encourage them to maintain good behaviour and excel in their studies, and set goals that enable them to reach the highest levels,” he said. Belts awarded are White, White and Yellow, Yellow, Yellow and Blue, Blue and Red, Red, Red with 1 stripe, and Red with 2 stripes. Others are candidates for the National Black Belt Dan 1 examination. Students who passed the test received a certificate, and the top 4 outstanding performers were awarded medals: Blaise Mpano Mugisha, Keilla Keza Olla Kirenga, Angel Mutesi, and Briella Karara. ALSO READ: One premium gym wants to make fitness Kigali’s next big thing The venue, located at the former Sports View Hotel, opposite the Amahoro stadium, offers expanded services and innovative facilities designed to cater to a diverse clientele, from professional athletes to families seeking a healthy lifestyle. The Taekwondo programme follows Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the line-up of martial arts that have been offered for some time, and since its introduction, it has attracted a growing number of subscribers seeking further development. “We have Taekwondo classes for the children every weekend. They get training from experienced masters who are qualified to do it. Different types of martial arts are practiced here. We offer everyone's requests,” said Ole Haugom, founder and CEO of Fitnesspoint. Jean-Bosco Murindabigwi is the father of Hertier Ganza, 7, and Tresor Mucyo, 5, both of whom participated in the testing. He said that he loved the sport since his childhood, and since his two boys joined, they have shown great improvement in their behaviour and overall health. “Mucyo, the younger one, used to have respiratory issues. He was often admitted to the hospital, but since he joined the sport, those problems have stopped. I was the one who chose it for them, but now they love it so much. I’ve seen their progress,” he said. Murindabigwi believes that sports help children become responsible and disciplined by keeping them occupied and focused on building skills. This keeps them away from excessive screen time and helps them grow up healthy and strong. “They never have time to do nothing. They’ve developed a sense of self-love, and I believe that in the future, it will bring good results,” he added. Murindabigwi urges parents to expose their children to sports, saying it’s a great way to raise kids with a positive outlook on life, especially martial arts, which helps shape character and build discipline. Ole, a Norwegian career fitness trainer with over 40 years of experience in sports science and elite coaching, said that the premium gym is finalising a programme for a professional women's basketball team. The initiative, set to begin next week, looks to improve their physical fitness, health, and overall performance in sports. “We’d like to coach them to be better, stronger, and faster athletes,” he noted. Since 2019, Fitnesspoint has established itself as a leader in Kigali’s fitness industry, now operating three branches in Remera, Kimihurura and Gacuriro. With a long-term vision of expanding to secondary cities across Rwanda, the gym aims to make fitness accessible and serve nationwide. ALSO READ: Fitnesspoint launches spinning classes According to the Fitnesspoint’s CEO, anyone with a gym membership has access to all facilities, with special rates available for children and basketball enthusiasts. The court, located just behind the building in the basement, provides a professional-level training experience. Fitnesspoint Remera operates three outlets, located in Remera, Kimihura and Gacuriro. They are open from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Monday to Thursday, and 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekends. Its central location and extended hours make it a good choice for Kigali’s corporate community and fitness enthusiasts. For anyone seeking a comprehensive fitness plan, Fitnesspoint offers a perfect mix of quality, convenience, and innovation.
