Jovia Umunezero, another Rwandan teen competing at the 3rd African Youth Games in Algeria, battled to win a Silver medal on Friday. Umunezero, 17, was fighting (Kumite) in the -59 kgs category of the continental championships that conclude this weekend. They have made history Her triumph comes after Halifa Niyitanga, 18, also grabbed a bronze medal on Thursday. I’m very proud of our youngsters. They have made history. For the first time Rwanda Karate has won a Silver medal on continental level! This is very promising even in the upcoming seniors championships that will be held in Rwanda next month, said Vanily Ngarambe, captain of the national team who has been following developments at the tournament from Kigali. The youngsters are part of the trio of U18 Karate players carrying the countrys flag at the continental youth championships. Umunezero got Silver after losing to Moroccos Fatima-Zahra Chaja in the final round of matches. Had she won it, she could have won the countrys first gold in an international Karate bout in the past few years. Earlier in the day, the youngster battled bravery to reach the finals. In the preliminaries she conquered Neeldje Mayvonne Swart of Namibia. In the second round, she also defeated Selma Raad of Algeria to convincingly secure a place in the final pairings. The third edition of the quadrennial continental competitions kicked off on July 18 and ends on July 28. The countrys Karate flag bearers at the tournament are Victor Shyaka Kaberuka (individual Kata), Niyitanga (kumité -61 kgs) and Umunezero (kumité -59 kgs). The trio spent the past month in residential camp at La Palisse Hotel Nyandungu, in Kigali, training twice a day. It is Rwandas second appearance in the Africa Youth Games following the 2014 debut. In the individual Kata contests where Kaberuka competed, the youngster first lost to Morrocos Riad Bourahmoun. He had a second chance, but lost too. In the ensuing repechage, a heat of a competition in which eliminated contestants have another chance to qualify for the next round or the final, the young man lost to Nigerias Oluwaseun Olorunmbe and bowed out without a medal. But Ngarambe still believes in the teenagers ability. Ngarambe said: I don’t have much to say but I know he (Kaberuka) is a good player. Maybe he just lacked experience but he is one of our best young Kata competitors. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
