APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Rwandan boxer Valentin Ntabangayimana is set to compete in the forthcoming 2023 AIBA Junior World Championships scheduled from November 23 to December 4 in Yerevan, Armenia, Sports sources revealed Thursday in Kigali.
The 20-year old flyweight (51kg), who belongs to Kudos Boxing Club, will be Rwanda’s sole representative at the Championships which will attract 448 young talents from 58 countries.
The two-week long tournament will be hosted at the MIKA Sports Arena in the Armenian capital Yerevan.
Before leaving Rwanda, the boxer’s coach h Jean Claude Gatorano, said, “we are going there to win, we must make our country proud. This is a World Championship, and we want to make sure Rwanda’s flag flies high.”
“We have had good preparations, thanks to the (boxing) federation, the ministry (of sports) and the national Olympics committee. I am confident we shall come back home with a medal,” noted the former national team boxer.
According to Rwanda Boxing Federation president Vic Kalisa, the IBA Junior World Boxing Championships represents more than just a competition; it is a celebration of young talent and the future of our sport.”
“The championship promises to be a showcase of budding talents and a testament to the growing popularity and importance of junior boxing on the global stage,” Kalisa noted.
The official draw is scheduled on Thursday, November 23, along with the opening ceremony, competitions up to quarter-finals will be held between November 24-30.
The semi-finals will take place on December 2, and final is set for December 3-4.
CU/as/APA