French karate icon Christophe Pinna is expected to be in Rwanda next week as a lecturer at the upcoming International Gum Hand Technique Symposium in Kigali, April 25-30.
The Dou Karate Champion was invited to the Japanese Karate Association Rwanda (JKA-Rwanda), the organizer of a six-day workshop, to inspire Rwandan karate athletes, especially the younger generation, to become future champions of the discipline.
Dubbed “Meet the Champions and Be Inspired”, the technical workshop will bring together around 200 participants from children to youth and adults.
Pinna and other world-class champions and coaches are expected to be held in Kigali every year to develop young talent, elite and high-level athletes in Rwanda.
Guy Rurangayire, the brains behind the workshop, told Weekend Sport that he had Pinna in mind when organising the workshop as he was sure his legendary experience in karate would inspire the local karate community.
He said the French did not hesitate to confirm his expected visit because of the friendly relationship between the two.
“Pinna is a living karate legend, and if memory serves me right, we started planning the visit back in 2017. We are also good friends,” Rurangayire said in an exclusive interview.
The workshop will officially kick off on Monday, April 25th at the Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium.
Who is Christopher Pinner?
Pinna is one of the best competitors of his generation. Known for his dynamic play, the Frenchman has won multiple titles in Europe and globally.
A standout competitor, he returned from retirement to represent France at the 2020 Olympics in Japan last year.
The 54-year-old was born in the St. Sylvester district of Nice and started taekwondo at the age of five. Ten years later, he became the French taekwondo junior champion.
Pinna started his military service in 1986, joining the famous Joinville Battalion (Ecole Interarmee des Sports). In the same year, he started karate and became a French military karate champion before winning the European Junior Karate Championships.
During his illustrious career, he went on to win multiple titles on the European and world stages. Pinna is a member of the French National Karate Team.
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