Placide Bagabo Former Rwanda international Taekwondo martial artist and national team captain, Placide Bagabo has retired from playing after eight years in the game. Bagabo, who also serves as the secretary general of Rwanda Taekwondo Federation (RTF), announced his retirement on Sunday in Russia at the just concluded 2015 WTF World Taekwondo Championships—he was eliminated in the last of sixteen round of the Men’s 63kgs category. The 22nd WTF World Taekwondo Championship was held from June 12 to 18 at Traktor Arena in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Rwanda was represented by six athletes, four men and two women. The 31-year-old black belt- third Dan holder Bagabo is the highly ranked taekwondo fighter in the country and is believed to be the best the country has known and one of the finest in the region as well. Talking to Times Sport from Russia on Monday, Bagabo said it was high time he retires to give way for new talents and concentrate on office work in the federation. “It’s time I say farewell to playing, combining playing and doing my work as secretary general in the federation is getting harder every day. It’s time I concentrate on office work as well as trying to groom new talents and keep developing the sport,” Bagabo said. During his eight-year playing career, Bagabo won over 15 local and regional medals, he also represented the country at the WTF World Championships in Mexico in 2013 and this year in Russia. Born on December 29, 1983 in Ngoma district, Bagabo was the national team captain since 2011 until his retirement on June 17, 2015. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
