Eighteen year old Halifa Niyitanga on Thursday made Rwanda proud by grabbing a bronze medal at the ongoing 3rd African Youth Games in Algeria. The youngster is one of the trio of U18 Karate players carrying the countrys flag at the continental youth championships. The third edition of the quadrennial continental competitions kicked off on July 18 and ends on July 28. Two boys and one girl, under the tutelage of coach Noel Nkuranyabahizi, spent the past month in residential camp at La Palisse Hotel Nyandungu, in Kigali, training twice a day. Niyitangas path to bronze Niyitangas path to bronze was not smooth. In the preliminary fight Niyitanga conquered Lucas Marques of Cape Verde. In the next round however he was tamed by Burundis Elvis Terimbere. And this implied that his last chance was the outcome of the ensuing repêchage, a heat of a competition in which eliminated contestants have another chance to qualify for the next round or the final. In the repêchage which followed, Niyitanga did not disappoint as he beat Benins Jeffrey Djido and made it to the next round. To win bronze, he then had to overcome Gabons David Obissa, and he did just that. It is Rwandas second appearance in the Africa Youth Games following the 2014 debut. The countrys Karate players at the tournament are Victor Shyaka Kaberuka (individual), Niyitanga (kumité -61 kgs) and Jovia Umunezero (kumité -59 kgs). editorial@newtimes.co.rw
