THE national Taekwondo federation capped their calendar year on a high note after bagging nine medals in the just ended Uganda Open. The 11-man team, which featured six players in the senior category and five in the junior section, dominated the event which also attracted Kenya and Uganda. Some of the outstanding players for Rwanda included Dalphene Uwababyeyi who claimed gold in the junior category while Tucker Koonce won bronze in the junior middleweight category. In the senior category, Jean Kalisa of Horang Club won gold in the middle weight division; Placide Bagabo scooped silver in the bantam weight division while Patrick Nkwiro settled for bronze in the light weight division. After the spirited display, Rwanda’s coach Martin Koonce is now convinced Irene Bagire and Bagabo have what it takes to qualify for next year’s London Olympic Games. The qualifiers are slated to run from January 9-12 in Cairo, Egypt. bonnie.mugabe@newtimes.co.rw
