Paralympics Pars 2024 | Para taekwondo - Bopha Kong, who injured his right knee, looks back on his tournament, which ended without a medal: ‘I'm going to get back up and come back stronger’.

At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Thursday, French Para taekwondo failed to win a medal. Represented by Bopha Kong in the -58 kg category, it didn't even win a single bout. It has to be said that the Frenchman, who suffered a knee injury a few weeks ago, didn't have the weapons to fight. He explains.

Thursday 29 August 2024 was to be the day of Paralympic consecration for French Para taekwondo player Bopha Kong. At 43, the Frenchman, a four-time world champion in 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2019, was indeed aiming for a medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In the -58 kg category, he was one of the strong contenders for a place on the podium, the only one missing from his immense list of achievements.

Unfortunately, bad luck has struck Bopha Kong. Less than a month ago, during training, he suffered a serious injury to his right knee. I had a ruptured collateral ligament and a level 3 cruciate sprain,’ he revealed at the end of the day in the mixed zone. I was [therefore] in a wheelchair for a fortnight, I couldn't even walk and then I only had two weeks left to rehabilitate and resume training and then competition. I lacked the weapons [to play with the best] because, on top of that, it was my strongest leg, the one with which I score points, that was affected. I tried everything and I simply didn't know what I was getting into.

Bopha Kong is determined to bounce back

This adventure has not been anything like the one he must have dreamed of for the past three years and his already injured defeat in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Badly beaten in the quarter-finals and then in the first round of the repechage, Bopha Kong could never reasonably hope to reach the podium this Thursday. He was too weak.

‘At first, when you're in a wheelchair, you wonder whether you're going to make it, whether you're going to make it down the steps of the Grand Palais. For me, it was essential to take part in the competition, I had to be there’, he explained, fighting despite his disappointment. That's how it is, that's sport, and the most important thing is to go all the way and show that you can try, with hope and despite an injury.

During his two fights, the Frenchman collapsed on the floor. The pain was just too much, as it had been in the repechage. ‘I hadn't fought for a while and I felt it. It was very difficult, my leg was strapped to death. In the last fight, an extension hurt and I thought the ligaments had blown. I can walk now, so I'm fine, it was just a shock’, says the champion, who was delighted with the warm welcome he received from the Grand Palais crowd.

What's next for this great Para taekwondo champion? ‘I've been doing Para taekwondo for 24 years. I've been waiting for this moment, I wanted to do well. But it doesn't matter, I'll bounce back. I've still got plenty of challenges in my head. I'm someone who doesn't give up and doesn't give up. I love challenges. I'm going to get back up and come back stronger,’ he replies. We'll always come back stronger to set an example and be happy. Wherever you come from, whatever your background, you can find your path and your passion and give it 200%. I've had worse, I had an accident, I was burnt, in flames, I was going to die. I spent some time in hospital, but I'm fine now... That's not going to stop me.

All the Para taekwondo results from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

All Para taekwondo results and schedules can be accessed and updated in real time HERE.