Crowds of Mbembo Mouandza : “In 5, 10 years we will talk differently about Beninese taekwondo”

The 22 and 23 June 2024, Crowds of Mbembo Mouandza, Gabonese international taekwondo referee, president of the Zone 4 Afrique d’arbitrage was at the headquarters of the Beninese Taekwondo Federation for high-level experience sharing. At the end of the internship, the eminent whistle, member of the referees commission of the African Taekwondo Union, said he was enthusiastic about the commitment of the interns. He see, Above all, a bright future for Beninese taekwondo. Read instead !!!

You are in Cotonou and you took this opportunity to share your experience with young people, referees and coaches. Tell us what was done during these two days ?

We must already thank the Beninese Taekwondo Federation through its president, vice-president and the entire federal office for giving me the opportunity to share these new experiences with the athletes, Beninese coaches and referees. It was an internship which brings together all the actors involved in the chain. It must be added that I was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm and dedication of these practitioners who came to share the martial festival with me..

In a few points, what did you teach them ?

During these two days, it was a question of telling everyone their responsibilities. The prerogatives of the referee with the new rules which were revised before the Olympics (Paris 2024). With the fighters, I spoke to them about their responsibility and to the coaches, we said what to ask and what not to ask. Because they are sometimes surprised when the referee withdraws their quotas and they often cry about the cheating and dishonesty of the referees. Non! it is not so. Today, they can come out of there to say that from now on, I behave like this to give my fighter a better chance of winning a fight.

Tell us a concept taught in a concrete way ?

The point to remember is the kick on the chest plate. The breastplates, today, are electronic so a coach can't ask why my guy didn't score. It should be marked automatically. So if it is not marked either it is not in the right place or the power has not arrived or it is beyond the power, simply. There is no more to dispute.

How do you assess the attitude of the trainees? ?

Already the coach Eric, he was experienced in the task. He is a former coach who from time to time goes to Gabon to reflect on coaching matters.. And there, we have little ones, very good nuggets. I think like that of Ralph and these two little cadets, etc.. which are very very good. I think that in 5, 10 years we will talk differently about Beninese taekwondo internationally.

Comments collected by Arnaud ACAKPO (Coll)