Kenya’s Stency Neema lost to the 2023 world silver medallist Salma Ali Abd Al Moneem Hassan from Egypt in women’s taekwondo under-52 kilograms at the Paris Paralympic Games.
The 22-year-old went down to Hassan 12-3 in the round of 16 held at the iconic GrandPalais.
Stency, who attributed her loss to inexperience, trailed 10-0 before she snapped three points at the tail end of the duel.
This was her first high-profile taekwondo match.
“I might have lost but I am still happy this being my first international outing in the sport,” said Stency, who is looking forward to a different 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
“This is just the start,” said Stency
Stency qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics when she attended the African Taekwondo Championships in February in Dakar, Senegal.
Stency was declared the winner and handed the ticket in under-52 to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games without breaking a sweat after Hassan failed to show up.
The Egyptian opted out after she had already qualified through world ranking.
Kenya's Julieta Moipo (under 57kg) will take the stage later today, where she will encounter another seasoned player, Micey Marija, 27, from Serbia.
Marija attended the Tokyo Games finishing seventh, a performance that followed her silver medal exploits at the 2019 World Championships in Turkey and the 2023 World Championships in Veracruz, Mexico.
