Stency Neema is optimistic about beating Egyptian Salma Ali in the women's under -52kg (K44 category) taekwondo bout at the Paris Paralympic Games on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Neema, who took taekwondo just two years ago, isn’t intimidated by Hassan's impressive resume.
The Egyptian is a 2023 world para taekwondo silver medallist.
“I desire to open the stage for Team Kenya at the Paris Paralympics Games,” said Stency, who plays taekwondo, badminton, athletics and para-skiing.
Though this is Neema’s first appearance in taekwondo at the highest level, her opponent brings a wealth of experience to the mat.
The Egyptian finished seventh as para taekwondo debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and claimed a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Veracruz, Mexico.
She finished fifth at this year's European Championships.
Stency's compatriot, Julieta Moipo, will take the stage on Friday in the under-57kg category where she will take on Serbia's Micey Marija.
Marija is a seasoned competitor who finished seventh at the Tokyo Paralympics and clinched silver medals at the 2019 World Championships in Turkey and the 2023 World Championships in Veracruz, Mexico.
A total of 12 athletes per event will compete for 10 medals across five weight categories in each gender.
