Rwandan fighters continued to show their mastery of the sport against their regional rivals by dominating the 2017 Taekwondo Ambassador’s Cup that concluded at Amahoro Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

The two-day event that started on Saturday, attracted eight regional countries namely; Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, DR Congo, Somalia, Uganda, South Sudan and hosts Rwanda.

The hosts dominated in the pair, mixed, creative and group stage Poomsae competitions as well as the individual and club categories. They won ten gold medals in different age and weight categories in both genders.

Rwanda finished top of the national team table ahead of Uganda and Kenya, who took silver and bronze medals respectively, while in the club classification, local side Dream Taekwondo Club, took the trophy followed by Team Uganda and IYF Taekwondo Club from Kimironko.

Dream Taekwondo Club won gold medals through Eric Byukusenge, Geoffrey Gatali (Men’s junior category), Nadege Murerwa (women’s junior category), Beatrice Akimana (-62kgs category), Aline Ndacyayisenga (women’s heavyweight) and Denise Uwase (-44kgs).

Mussa Twizeyimana (feather weight) and Raisa Umurerwa (-U53kgs) were the other gold medal winners for Dream Club.

Stephen Odhiambo from Kenya Kibabii University Taekwondo Club won gold in the men’s bantamweight, while his compatriot Jenita Masa, also from Kibbakii University Club, won the heavyweight female gold.

Donald Kayitare of Highway Taekwondo Club was named the MVP of the senior men’s category and Uganda’s Amina Namutosi, who claimed gold in the -46kgs category, was named MVP in the senior women’s competition.

The annual Ambassadors Cup is sponsored by the Republic of South Korea in Rwanda.

Rwanda Taekwondo Federation president, Martin Knooce, thanked the sponsors and participating teams from different countries for taking part in this year’s championship.

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