Bikorimana jets in, joins training camp

FRANCE-BASED boxer Jean Morris Bikorimana arrived in the country last night to take part in the last rehearsals with the national team ahead of their participation in the 10th All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique. Bikorimana arrived aboard KLM airlines and headed straight into the team’s residence at La Palisse hotel. Head coach Gashugi Kananura told Times Sport that Bikorimana’s arrival is a huge boost for the team which is aspiring to win silverware in Maputo. “We have been expecting him for a long time and with his arrival, the team is complete and ready to go for medals. “Our aim is to be able to have one or two of our boxers’ reaching the medal bracket. If that can be achieved, then we would be able to send our boxers to the London Games next year,” noted the veteran trainer. Bikorimana has been training in France since May under the Olympic solidarity sponsorship which is given to athletes from developing nations to help them realize their chances of attaining slotting minimum qualifications for Olympic Games. Bikorimana joins middle weight (75kg) Vincent Nsengiyumva, light weight (64kg) Theoneste Gakunzi, feather-weight (66kg) Salim Kwizera and Bantam weight (54kg) David Nsabimana. The pugilists’ team leaves on Thursday along with the Tennis and Karate delegations. This will be the third batch of the national team to leave for Maputo. The first batch (volleyball) left last Saturday while the second (athletics and NPC) jetted out on Wednesday. Besides boxing, Rwanda will compete in basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, athletics, tennis, table tennis, karate, swimming, cycling and sport for the disabled. Ends

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Bikorimana jets in, joins training camp