Para Taekwondo player Jean Claude Niringiyimana has been named among Rwandans tipped to shine at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The global Paralympic Movement describes Niringiyimana as one of the world’s fastest and accurate kickers when it comes to lightening up quick fights in the light weight category. Celebrated Niringiyimana, who considers taekwondo as a life-changing art for him, competes in the men’s 61kg - K44 category. According to the national taekwondo team coach, Alain Irene Bagire, the only thing Niringiyimana needs is to be well prepared and the opportunity for warm-up competitions prior to the Paralympic Games. “He (Niringiyimana) is very talented and hardworking; he just needs support in regular preparations and to get as many competitions as possible to stay in great shape. He stands high chances for a medal in Tokyo,” Bagire told Times Sport on Monday. At the Tokyo Paralympics, there will be the best twelve fighters from across the world in his category (K44) of competition. The top six in WTF world rankings will bag automatic tickets while the remaining six spots will be up for grabs through continental qualifiers. In world rankings released last month, Niringiyimana was ranked number 13 worldwide and top on the continent, ahead of Morocco’s Hamid Fakir (15) and Ayoub Adouich (18), respectively. Last year, Niringiyimana was voted as the Allianz Athlete of the Month for April after his stellar performance at the 2017 African Para Taekwondo Championship in Kigali, where he claimed gold on his debut attempt on continental stage. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
