Montargis, France (July 2, 2023) – In its 2nd edition, the G1 Solidarity Open 2023 in Montargis has seen more than 400 athletes and para-athletes including refugee athletes and para-athletes from Iran, Mali, Ukraine and Afghanistan. In total, 54 countries were represented on the three days competition (June 30th – July 2nd) open to cadets, juniors and seniors categories. The venue, promoted by the Center Ligue Val-de-Loire and organized by the Union Sportive de Chalette and its taekwondo section, is a valuable tournament sanctioned by the FFTDA.
Mamoudou Bassoum, President of the Taekwondo Center Ligue Val-de-Loire and chairman of the Union Sportive de Chalette, is the man behind this major taekwondo event hosted in the charming town of Montargis. But who is this do-man with a big heart? Bassoum is a French-Haitian citizen who lived in Senegal, the country of his father and Haiti the homeland of his mother. He discovered taekwondo at the age of 16, in Senegal, and then moved a few years later to France, to study at the university. Good at taekwondo, he has been national Haitian champion, two times French University vice-champion and French veterans champion.
What inspired Bassoum to launch such an inititiative?
The idea of the Solidarity Open came to him after looking at the reality of African taekwondo teams having only the possibility to compete on the African continent, as costs to participate to competitions in Europe are unaffordable for the African taekwondo athletes. So, the aim behind the Solidarity Open is to offer the possibility for athletes of poor countries and refugee athletes to participate of a G1 or G2 tournament in Europe, having their costs paid. “That’s where the solidarity comes from”, declared Bassoum. Remembering that taekwondo is a family and that some pay for those who need it most. “Thanks to World Taekwondo President and Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation Chairman, Dr. Chungwon Choue, we have access to talented refugee athletes and para-athletes who are still refrained from competing”, pointed Bassoum.
The G1 Solidarity Open 2023
Despite the protests in France and last-minute adaptations, the competition and schedules have been maintained. The roll out of the venue has been well executed according to Louis Lacoste, Director of Paralympic Performance at FFTDA, who hope to come back next year with the para-athletes, reinforcing that the G1 Solidarity Open is a good and affordable opportunity for his para-athletes to compete at international level in their own country. Coach Janet Alegria, from Mexico, declared: “The tournament has shown a high level, with very difficult categories to win.” This argument is also shared by Lacoste delivering a positive analysis on the Para competition. According to Lacoste: “The G1 Solidarity Open venue for para-athletes showcased quantity and quality in terms and number of athletes coming from all four continents. The event was also the opportunity to measure the performance of the French para-athletes and set for each of them personal goals to be worked on, which is very positive”, completed Lacoste. According to Jesse Van Thuyne, owner and taekwondo trainer from Van Thyune TKD Gentily and French Taekwondo Team coach for cadets and juniors: “The competing level was a bit lower than for other international opens due to the restricted number of participants in some categories, but the quality was there, at least in 50% of the senior-men categories, with elite athletes winning in other Opens, achieving gold in the M-80kg and M-74kg,” Bassoum declared: “The success of the tournament was due to the brilliance of the athletes, coaches, referees and officials who have shown an indomitable spirit to overcome the difficulties and make a great tournament.
The THF and WT are very proud of the performance of refugee athlete and IOC Refugee Team Athlete (RTA), Kasra Mehdipournejad (M-80kg) from Iran, living in Berlin, who achieved gold for the second year. Mehdipournejad who participated to the European Games, in Krakow (Poland), really impressed in the final against the French, Mohamed Mendy, originally from Mali. African athletes in senior categories achieved good results, with the gold medal from O Seydou (M-74kg), living in France, completed with a second gold medal reached by Islam Guetfaya from Algeria (M+87kg) and podiums with Mohamed Fofana from Mali (3rd / M-74kg), Lamine Sidibe from Ivory Coast (3rd / M-74kg) and Youssouf Simpara from Mali (3rd / M-63kg).
World Taekwondo (WT) and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) are very grateful and fervent supporter of such an initiative, giving the opportunity to gather refugee athletes and para-athletes from all over the world. Dr. Chungwon Choue, President of WT and Chairman of the THF, said: “An event like the Solidarity Open deliver a strong message to the sport community, showing that taekwondo for inclusion is a reality, giving refugee athletes and para-athletes from all countries access to international competitions, in line with our commitment with UNHCR-IOC Sports Coalition.”
