Since July 1, Chadian Casimir Betel, 26, has become the world number one taekwondo player in the under 58kg category. He was unable to qualify for the Paris Olympics, but he hopes that this temporary passage to the top of the world hierarchy and this sudden notoriety in his country will allow him to glean the necessary means to aim for the 2028 Olympics.
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It is a symbolic and clearly temporary position, but it has aroused enthusiasm at the highest levels of the State. ChadIt has been two years since Chadian Casimir Betel left his Ndjamena district of Amtoukoui for the shores of Lake Constance in southwestern Germany, thanks to a scholarship.
The athlete was unable to reach the Paris Olympics, having been beaten in the semi-final of the African qualifying tournament for taekwondo in February, but he continued to fight and took advantage of the reset of the counters to get off to a flying start with two tournament wins that allowed him to take the lead in the rankings.
Participants in the Games will double him, but he is ready for the challenge. I have twenty points at the moment. So obviously, starting with the Olympic Games, athletes will try to take this place from me. Now, to keep this position, I have to try to participate in as many competitions as possible to maintain this place that I occupy. ” he confided to the microphone of Francois Mazetfrom RFI’s Africa service.
” A true model of inspiration for all athletes »
For his performance, Casimir Betel received multiple congratulations, from opponents and leaders alike, including the head of state. Mahamat Idriss Deby saluted ” a true model of inspiration for all athletes “, who has “ raised the Chadian tricolor to the top “.
The interested party appreciates it and hopes that actions will follow to aim even higher. To be the World number 1 is a start. I have to really give my all to confirm, to assert myself in this place. First, my scholarship will end by August. Now it is up to my State to renew my scholarship. With the results that I obtain, if my Olympic and sports committee wishes, they will do it, but it no longer depends on me. I have always given the best of myself, and this is an opportunity to represent Chad, to show that Chad exists in the discipline that I practice. »
For Casimir Betel, this is the beginning of the path towards future challenges: participating in the Grand Prix which brings together the thirty best fighters in the world and thus aiming for the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
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