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 K44 at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Stency, 22, went down to Hassan 12-3 in the round of 16duel held at the iconic GrandPalais. Stency, who attributed her loss to inexperience, this being her first high profiled taekwondo match, trailed 10-0 before she snapped three points at the tail end of the duel.
“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, who also plays badminton, athletics and para skiing. 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 throwing a kick after Hassan failed to show up. The Egyptian opted out after she had already qualified through world ranking.
Stency compatriot Julieta Moipo (under 57kg) will take the stage on Friday where she will encounter another season 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 i2023 World Championships in Veracruz, Mexico.
