Rwanda Refugee Taekwondo Team Shines at 2026 Genocide Memorial Tournament (Photos)

The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) has commended the outstanding performance of refugee athletes at the 12th edition of the Genocide Memorial International Taekwondo Tournament.

Organized by the Rwanda Taekwondo Federation (RTF), in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOC), the tournament is held to honor and remember those who lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Represented by Mahama Taekwondo Academy and Kiziba Taekwondo Academy at the tournament held in Kigali, the THF team secured 19 medals.

The two-day championship, held from June 13–14, 2026, at Hill Top Hotel in Remera, brought together 23 clubs, including four teams from Kenya, and attracted 265 athletes from both countries.

A total of 22 refugee athletes participated in the competition, including 15 athletes from Mahama Refugee Camp and seven from Kiziba Refugee Camp.

Despite having fewer athletes than many clubs from Kigali, the refugee team delivered an impressive performance, winning 19 medals overall, including four gold, four silver and 11 bronze.

Mahama Taekwondo Academy alone secured 14 medals from the 15 athletes, highlighting the academy’s remarkable efficiency and competitive strength.

The gold medal winners included Iramumpaye Alsace (Junior Male -51kg, Mahama), Iradukunda Anthia (Junior Female -44kg, Mahama), Hakizimana Parfait (Senior Para-Taekwondo K44 -58kg, Mahama) and Uwera Dinah (Senior Female -62kg, Mahama), while Kiziba Refugee Camp’s Nkurunziza Chance won silver.

Bronze medals were claimed by Munezero Kelia (Mahama), Kabanyana Emelance (Kiziba), Niyonsenga Elysé (Kiziba), Usanase Aline (Kiziba), Rukundo Guy Gerlin (Mahama), Niyukuri Innocent (Mahama), Nshimiyimana Eric (Kiziba), Irafasha Lydie (Mahama), Mutesi Grolia (Mahama), Mugisha Zeina (Mahama) and Ikundineza Laurence (Mahama).

Refugee athletes have consistently demonstrated their competitiveness at the event, having previously finished third overall behind Police Taekwondo Club and Dream Fighters Taekwondo Club.

Taekwondo training in Rwanda’s refugee camps began in 2017 with the support of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation.

The program uses sport as a powerful tool to help refugee children and youth build confidence, discipline, resilience and hope while promoting physical and mental well-being.

Mahama Refugee Camp, located in Eastern Rwanda’s Kirehe District, hosts thousands of refugees, primarily from Burundi.

Since the introduction of Taekwondo, the camp has become an important center for youth development and talent identification through sport.

Kiziba Refugee Camp, situated in Karongi District in Western Rwanda, is one of the country’s oldest refugee settlements and is home mainly to refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The camp has produced several talented Taekwondo athletes who continue to excel at national competitions.

THF Country Coordinator Philbert Hagengimana praised the athletes for their determination and achievements.

He thanked the Rwanda Refugee Team for their outstanding performance, noting their talent and competitiveness.

“Limited funding reduced athlete numbers, but with more resources a full squad would have participated. Despite challenges, the athletes delivered an impressive performance”, he said

Hagengimana also expressed gratitude to the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, UNHCR and the Government of Rwanda for their continued support in creating opportunities for refugee youth through sport.

Photos