Kenyan taekwondo players Julietta Moipo and Stency Neema are ready to take the Paris Paralympics by storm as they aim to write history books.
This will be the first time Kenya is participating in women’s taekwondo at the Paralympics with the pair eying the medal bracket performance during the Summer Games starting August 28 to September 8 in the French capital.
If they make it to the medal bracket, then taekwondo will be the third discipline to medal for Kenya at the Paralympics after swimming and athletics.
It’s the English-born Kenya’s John Britton, who gave Kenya the only swimming medal from his victory at the 1972 Heidelberg in Games in Germany. He won the men’s 25m freestyle 2 as Kenya made its debut at the Games.
Moipo (under-57 kgs) and Neema (under-52kgs) have been training at the Parklands Sports Club under coach Philip Khaemba and sparring partners Milka Akinyi, the 2008 Beijing Paralympian, Edna Shichangi and Jully Msangi.
The pair qualified during the African Taekwondo Championships that doubled up for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games qualifier in February this year in Dakar, Senegal.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity that is bound to change me forever not only in my game but my life and that of my family,” said Moipo whose right hand was amputated following a fall at the age of three.
“My speed, accuracy and the general understanding of the game have improved,” said Moipo, who hopes that Paris will open ways for other major championships like the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
“I can’t promise any medal but I believe something good is in the offing after watching video clips from past events in my category,” said Moipo, who is under no pressure as she prepares for Paris.
Moipo, 22, embraced para taekwondo in 2022 upon clearing form four at Milimani Secondary School in Samburu.
Moipo was handed the ticket in under-57 to the Paris Paralympic Games without throwing a kick alongside compatriot Neema, who also punched the ticket after her opponent from Egypt backed out.
Neema, the multi-talented para athlete, said she is ready for Paris, having trained for the last two years. “I am not the same Neema, who went for the qualifier.
“I only knew the basics but my techniques have improved. For instance I am able to execute double kicks,” said Neema, who was born with only the upper right limb only. “I am going to compete and not just add to the numbers.”
Neema, 22, said that she was looking forward to qualifying in para athletics (100m, 200m), para badminton and para skiing (Winter Games) but got the nod in taekwondo.
Khaemba describes Mopipo as their surprise package owing to her great improvement over the months. “Her biggest weakness was core training and we tackled that through good strength and conditioning,” said Khaemba.
Khaemba noted that her improvement posed a big challenge owing to the extra energy and zeal in training, hence the move to have her spar with strong and experienced athletes.
“The multi-talented Neema has undergone a lot of changes from athletics to taekwondo. She had stiff muscles for athletics but worked on her stretches and flexibility as per what taekwondo demands,” said Khaemba.
Khaemba described Neema as a natural athlete with good speed and fast learner. I was uncomfortable introducing her to some things but she has surprised me how she embraced them quite fast,” said Khaemba, adding that Neema’s sidekick is supreme.
