The Ngninteng dojo hosted an impressive contingent of world, Olympic, African champions, Mediterranean Games medalists, and winners of numerous international Opens. These Tunisian athletes, accompanied by five coaches, trained rigorously on the mats in Tremblay for the Paris 2026 World Taekwondo Grand Prix, an event that gathers the global elite of this Korean martial art.
The athletes' stated goal was to earn valuable points towards qualification for the Los Angeles Olympic Games. For a week, the group trained intensively in the Ngninteng and Claude-Jacquart dojos, as well as at the TAC Jean-Guimier weight training facility.
This initiative, originating from the local club whose coach is of Tunisian descent, aims to foster international connections, enhance the club's reputation, and allow registered members to experience a top-tier selection. "Our motivations are multifaceted," explains Hamid Hashemi, the technical director of the Tremblay club.
Oliver d’Henry, director of Paris 2024 and its legacy, highlighted that the town of Tremblay supports this endeavor, aligning with its long-standing commitment to decentralized cooperation. Similar to the Cuban boxers who previously trained there, the Tunisian champions also engaged with local schoolchildren.
The Tunisian coach also led a training session for the local club. The achievements of Moataz Ifaoui (bronze medalist, African vice-champion over 80 kg), Wafa Mesghouni (quarter-finalist -67 kg), and Chaïma Toumi (round of 16 -57 kg) demonstrate the success of this training camp.
The idea of future collaboration, where TAC Taekwondo might cross the Mediterranean, is now gaining traction.
