FUJAIRAH, UAE (May 12, 2025) - It is an exciting time for Senegalese Taekwondo. The country has the historic Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, and now it has its first-ever medallist at a World Taekwondo Cadet Championships.
Tening Faye enjoyed an impressive run to the semi-finals of the W -44kg event in Fujairah to seal a bronze medal.
At the semi-final stage, Faye came up against Ukraine’s Karyna Dovzhanyn. Although she was beaten in a close three-round match by the eventual gold medallist, Faye could reflect of a milestone achievement in Senegal’s Taekwondo history.
“I am very happy. I am glad to have a bronze medal,” she said. “I am very proud of the medal for my country.”
Although she felt some pre-competition nerves on her debut at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, Faye handled the occasion in an assured manner. She had targeted winning a medal before the start of the event, and feels she is capable of achieving more.
“I was sure I was going to the semi-final or the final. I had that feeling,” Faye said.
“I was a little bit nervous before the competition, but when the competition started I felt better.
“Just before the semi-final, I felt like I wanted and could win gold. The semi-final is just one step more to the final.”
Faye hopes her success can inspire upcoming talent within Senegalese Taekwondo, and encourage more young people to practice the sport in the country.
“I think this will inspire the younger generation, and more people will go and practice Taekwondo in Senegal,” she commented.
That will likely be further enhanced by next year’s Youth Olympic Games in Senegal’s capital Dakar – the first-ever Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent. With 11 medal events, Taekwondo will be the third-largest sport on the programme.
Faye is targeting success beyond Dakar 2026 and wants to win an Olympic gold medal.
She trains four hours each day in two separate blocks, and only began practising Taekwondo two years ago having discovered she “just liked it the most”.
Faye is grateful for her coaches’ and friends’ support on her journey to becoming her country’s first World Taekwondo Cadet Championships medallist, and from her experience in Fujairah was able to provide advice to aspiring young athletes.
“My advice for the young generation is to respect coaches, trainers and parents, and to train more with more discipline. Everything will be okay!” she said.
Through her historic bronze in Fujairah, Faye has paved the way for a bright future for Taekwondo in Senegal – one which will be elevated further by the impact of Dakar 2026.
