Patricia Kyeremaa, a Ghanaian Para Taekwondo Athlete has said, that she will win gold medal for Ghana at the Manchester 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix, after her experience at the recently held Paris 2022 World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix at the Palais des sport Marcel Cerdan.
The Bono region-based athlete who won gold medal, in the K44 +65Kg category at the African Championship in Niger in February this year lost her maiden fight against Brazilian Debora Menezes at the Grand Prix on Monday, September 5, 2022 and therefore could not proceed to the medal zone.
Among all invited to the grand Prix, Debora Menezes is 3rd in the World in the K44 +65Kg category with 254.93 points, while Patricia is placed 11th with 40.00 points.
Patricia Kyeremaa who became Ghana’s only athlete to ever compete in the Grand Prix however shared her losing experience.
“I have gained a lot of experience at my first outing at the Grand Prix. Although we are all para-athletes, my opponent is top ranked and it put a bit of fear in me. The atmosphere was also a part of it because I have never seen such environment. I was scared because I was told she is 3rd in the World. I have seen how the competition also goes at the World level. I would have managed if it was Africa, like I did at Niger.”
“I am sure I will do better in the next World competition because I have gained a lot of exposure. I am now very bold and can stand any atmosphere like I saw at France. I won’t be scared, and I will also know how to prepare next time. I will definitely bring gold medal to Ghana in my next World competition. I am training very hard for the next championships.” She assured.
Patricia has been registered for the Manchester 2022 World Taekwondo Grand Prix, which is scheduled for 20th to 23rd October, as the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF) Executive Board looks for support for her and her coach (George Ablometi) to be able to participate.
The World Taekwondo Para committee supported the team with ticket and accommodation from the Para Taekwondo Development Fund for the Paris Grand Prix, while the GTF executive board took care of feeding, per diem and registration.
The GTF is however calling on corporate bodies to support the athlete and coach to participate in the G-6 rated championship.
Patricia and her coach returned from France on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 and are currently preparing for Manchester.
