Para taekwondo athlete Idrissa Keita targets Senegal’s first Paralympic medal

From the streets of Dakar to qualifying for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Idrissa Keita's story is of resilience, grit and unwavering determination. His journey in Para taekwondo is no less than a fairytale story, and the 20-year-old athlete from Kaolack, Senegal, describes it as a ‘dream’.

“Everything for me is a dream now - my journey from Kaolack to obtaining the ticket for Paris 2024,” said Keita, who earned the qualifying ticket for Paris 2024 after winning the K44 men’s +80kg gold at the Africa Qualification event in Dakar, Senegal.

“It's the biggest dream of every athlete to participate in the Paralympics and for me, I am very happy and honored to have qualified. I’m proud to represent my country.”

He now aspires to win a Paralympic medal, which will be a first for Senegal, at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

And for that, Keita is putting all his hours and energy into improving his technique and skills, five days a week, at his taekwondo club, Keumgang Léopold Sédar Seghor, in Dakar.

“My biggest dream is to help my family, especially my mother – fulfill all her needs and give her a comfortable life. All thanks to Para taekwondo, I am already making her feel proud and happy.

The journey

For Keita, Para taekwondo means 'discipline' now.

“It's (Para taekwondo) a way of life which allows us (people with disabilities) to thrive and not have any complexes about ourselves,” he said. “It’s about showing the whole world that we can do something with our disability.”

Forced to leave school at the age of 16, Keita left his home and his hometown Kaolack to support his family after his father passed away.

“Our economic condition had deteriorated - I had to leave school and look for work to help my mother. But despite trying for several months, I didn't succeed. I left my native village and moved to Dakar in search of work and a better life,” said Keita, who has a disability in his right hand.

There were days when Keita had to beg in the streets of Dakar for food, but fate had other plans for him. Soon, his life was going to change.

“In my free time I like to go for a walk at the (Parcelles Assainies) beach, listen to music and watch videos of taekwondo fights. I was always passionate about Taekwondo,” he shared.

Last year, Keita met Maitre Abdoulaye Ndiaye, coach of the Senegalese national Para Taekwondo team, in the streets to the Parcelles Assainies beach and the rest was history.

“He (The coach) asked me to join Para Taekwondo after knowing my interest in the sport. I didn't have to pay any registration fees as he took care of everything for me. I started training right away at a club - I was determined to be part of the national team, after learning that the Paralympic Games could change my life forever and allow me to support my family.”

'My life changed'

Following two and a half months of training, Keita participated in the African Qualification tournament for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and it turned out to be a 'dream come true moment’ for him.

“All the credit goes to coach Abdoulaye Ndiaye who introduced me to taekwondo, found me a club and inserted me into the national team. My life has changed completely since then. My sole focus is getting better in Para taekwondo now.”

“I hope to win a Paralympic medal for my country which has not yet happened so far.”

Having taken a step in realizing his biggest dream, Keita also has a message for the aspiring Para taekwondo athletes.

“Everything is possible if you believe in yourself – you can start from nothing and achieve your goals,” he said.