Rwanda national taekwondo team bagged a total of ten medals at this year’s Chairman’s Cup Taekwondo Championship that ended on Sunday in Mombasa, Kenya.

Making their third appearance at the multinational championship after debuting in 2011, Rwanda entered a total of 11 players, including three girls and eight boys, and managed to win four gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

The four gold medals were won by Aline Ndacyayisenga (U-57kg),  Laisaa Umurerwa (U-51kg) in the women category as well as Jean de dieu Niyigize (U-58kg) and Cedrick Mwemezi (men). Zura Mushambokazi (U-57kg), Moussa Twizeyimana (U-68kg) and Martin Nduwayezu (U-54kg) claimed silver.

The three bronze medals were won by Savio Nizeyimana (U-74kg), Emmanuel Twagiramungu (U-63kg) and Emmanuel Kwibuka (U-54kg). Only Vincent Munyakazi, who competed in the (U-68 kg), did not win a medal.

"It is a big achievement, we had a target to win 10 medals and I’m happy we have achieved it, but also this tournament was meant to give us a real picture of where we stand before the African Championship set for May 19-22 in Cairo,” assistant coach Boniface Mbonigaba told Times Sport by phone yesterday.

Meanwhile, Rwanda women’s team was crowned the best overall team while the men’s team finished second, behind hosts Kenya. The two-day tournament attracted three countries; Rwanda, Tanzania and hosts Kenya.

In 2011, Rwanda won the taekwondo Spirit title before winning four gold medals and a silver in 2013. The team did not compete in 2014 while the 2015 edition did not take place. The team is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow by road.

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