Kenya upbeat despite slow start at Taekwondo World Championships

The national taekwondo team has maintained a hopeful outlook despite experiencing a tough opening day at the World U-21 Taekwondo Championships, currently underway at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.

The event, which kicked off on December 3, drew elite young fighters from across the globe, setting a high competitive bar for participating nations.

Team Kenya, represented by four athletes, Willias Odhiambo (-58kg Men’s Flyweight), Vivian Shali (-49kg Women’s Flyweight), Festos Mbalala (+ 87kg Men’s Heavyweight), and Waida Mula (+73kg Women’s Heavyweight), faced intense matchups in their respective preliminary rounds.

Despite demonstrating solid technique, speed, and tactical awareness, all four were eliminated early after narrowly losing on points to their opponents.

Women’s -49kg flyweight fighter Vivian Shali expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the chance to compete on such a prestigious international platform was itself a valuable milestone despite losing to a Polish opponent earlier on.

 “I’m thankful for the experience and exposure of facing top athletes from around the world. I am looking forward to participating in the Olympics in 2028,” she said.

Head coach Samuel Kinyanjui commended the team for their hard work and work ethic, acknowledging the challenges of competing at a world-class level.

He highlighted the significance of the athletes’ performance despite the results.

“Even though we did not make it to the quarter finals, the team gave their best. These matches are not easy because our opponents have much better international exposure. "He noted.

"We are going to continue training, because we are eyeing the 2028 Olympics. The young players have a future. "He added.

With Day 1 behind them, the Kenyan squad is now shifting focus to Day 2, playing for the feather and middleweight categories, scheduled for December 4 at the same venue.

The fighters remain optimistic, aiming to bounce back with stronger tactics, renewed confidence, and a determination to register better outcomes.

Kenya’s participation marks a pivotal step in strengthening its presence in global taekwondo, and the team hopes to build momentum as the championship progresses.