The journey of Congolese athletes during the ITF Taekwondo World Championships in Seoul unfortunately did not result in a medal. Despite good performances, none of the four representatives from the DRC managed to qualify for the semi-finals.
Henock Luvualu Kangu, however, showed his determination by qualifying for the round of 16, thanks to an impressive victory against the Englishman Callahan Elliot UK, quadruple world champion. However, he was eliminated in the quarter-finals by the Japanese YAMANOUCHI REN in the under 58 kg category.
Grace BANZA, for her part, did not manage to pass the first round, being beaten by the Argentinian SEKO FAKUNDO in the under 76 kg category. Kima Mwana Nzambi was also eliminated in the first round, after a close match against Argentinian QUERTIA MATHIAS which ended in a draw in regulation time. Unfortunately, Kima ended up losing in overtime.
The last representative of the DRC, PANGI TSHIMANGA JONATHAN, reached the quarter-finals after a victory against the Korean KIM SEONG JUN. However, he was eliminated in the semi-final by Argentina’s VINCENT RENSO.
In the end, the DRC returned home without any medals, but with encouraging performances. Congolese athletes showed their talent and commitment during these world championships, proudly representing their country.
Despite the absence of a medal, it is important to highlight their participation and the efforts they made to reach this level of competition. Their determination and passion for Taekwondo deserve to be saluted.
Hopefully this experience will serve as motivation for future Congolese competitors, who will continue to represent the DRC on the international stage and aim for even better results. Perseverance and constant training are the keys to success in the world of Taekwondo.
It is time to support our athletes and encourage them in their quest for medals and future success. The DRC has enormous potential in Taekwondo, and with everyone’s support, it can reach even greater heights in upcoming international competitions.