Strenghts and weaknesses

Laurène Ossin Kimi, an athlete of Ivorian origins born in 2008, secured the gold medal at the Cadet and Junior World Taekwondo Championships in Sofia 2022. In close proximity to my home, there exists the gym where she diligently trains daily under the guidance of coach Anuar Bykovskiy. Remarkably, despite her youth, Laurène exhibits a level of maturity that has not only surprised me but is on par with her exceptional athletic prowess, determination, and consistency.

Photo and video: Lorenzo Morandi
Words: Laurène Ossin Kimi

“My name is Laurène Ossin Kimi, I am 14 years old, and I won the Taekwondo World Championships in Sofia.

When I was younger, I used to be a bit more confident, and I almost always faced opponents who were not as strong. At the World Championships, I met people with greater technique and potential, and I got a bit scared because I had never felt that way before. In my second match against the Australian athlete, I was signaling to my coach, Anuar Bykowskiy, indicating that I couldn't handle it anymore because I was afraid.

I knew that my parents, the Ivory Coast National Team, my friends, and my coaches were counting on me. Having the mindset that I couldn't do something is detrimental because it leads to defeat. But that wasn't the case.

Upon returning to Italy, I reviewed all my matches to analyze my strengths and weaknesses. There are many things to improve, especially in preparation for the upcoming Junior World Championships. I need to have more self-esteem and manage anxiety, which is a crucial aspect of achieving great goals. My goal is to train to overcome every weakness of mine.”

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