Rwanda will be represented by seven martial artists at the 42nd edition of the Dutch Taekwondo Open Championships scheduled for March 13-15 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Team Rwanda coached by Alain Irenee Bagire is set to leave for Holland on March 11 and return on March 16. The development was confirmed to Times Sport on Tuesday by Placide Bagabo, local Taekwondo federation’s secretary general. “The team will depart next Wednesday and return five days later. Players have had intensive preparations for the last few weeks and we hope they can represent the country well,” he said. He also noted that this competition contributes points for World rankings as well as acting as the qualifier for World Championships and the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games 2016. This year’s World Taekwondo Championships will be staged in Russia in June. Rwanda’s seven-player team includes five men and two women. Among the seven, Bagabo and Zoura Mushambokazi will be making their second appearance at the prestigious European competition following their debut in 2013. Mushombikazi (49kg) was knocked out in the second round while Bagabo (63kgs) was sent packing in the first round at the hands of a North Korean opponent. The other five players are; Delphine Uwababyeyi (46kg) Martin Nduwayezu (54kg), Regis Iyumva (58kg), Savio Nizeyimana (68kg) and Eric Nkurunziza (80kg). editorial@newtimes.co.rw
