[INTERVIEW] Tanzanian Taekwondo coach reflects on the 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship
2026-01-17The 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship was held on Nov 29, 2025, at Don Bosco Upanga in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Tanzania and the Tanzanian Taekwondo Association, the event brought together around 100 athletes from across the region to compete in a showcase of skill, discipline, and sportsmanship. Beyond the intense competition, the championship also fostered cultural exchange and contributed to the continued growth of Taekwondo in Tanzania.
Kelvin Zuberi is a Taekwondo instructor and coach based in Arusha, Tanzania. He is the founder and head instructor of Arusha Taekwondo Martial Arts School and a member of the Tanzania Taekwondo Executive Committee. Deeply committed to the growth of the sport, Kelvin focuses on developing Taekwondo at the grassroots level by training children, youth, and adults, while promoting Taekwondo both as a competitive sport and a lifelong discipline.
The following are excerpts from an email interview with him on Jan 15-16, in which he discusses how he became interested in Taekwondo and shares his experience at the 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Taekwond Championship.
1. How did you become interested in practicing Taekwondo?
I became interested in Taekwondo at a young age after being inspired by its discipline, respect, and strong values. What started as an interest soon became a passion as I realized Taekwondo is not only about fighting, but also about self-control, confidence, and personal development. This motivation pushed me to train seriously and later become an instructor.
2. What do you enjoy most about practicing Taekwondo?
What I enjoy most about Taekwondo is its ability to shape character. Taekwondo teaches discipline, perseverance, respect, and mental strength. As a coach, I especially enjoy seeing my students grow, not only in skill but also in confidence, focus, and discipline in their daily lives.
3. What was your experience at the 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship in Tanzania?
The 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship was a very well-organized and motivating event. It provided a great platform for athletes to compete at a high level and gain valuable experience. The atmosphere was competitive yet respectful, and it showed the positive growth of Taekwondo in Tanzania.
at the 2025 Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship, held on Nov 29, 2025, at Don Bosco Upanga in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Courtesy of Kelvin Zuberi
4. What place did you and your team get, and what do you think about it?
My team performed well and showed strong determination and discipline. While the results were encouraging, what mattered most to me was the experience gained and the improvement shown by my athletes. Competitions like this help identify strengths and areas to improve as we prepare for future events.
5. Can you describe a memorable match or moment during the championship?
One memorable moment was watching my athletes remain calm and disciplined under pressure, especially during closely contested matches. Seeing them apply what we train every day, focus, respect, and fighting spirit, was very rewarding and made me proud as a coach.
6. How do you envision the development of Taekwondo in Tanzania?
I believe Taekwondo in Tanzania has a bright future. With continued support, quality coaching, regular competitions, and strong collaboration with international partners, Taekwondo can grow significantly. My vision is to see more structured grassroots programs, better athlete development pathways, and Tanzanian athletes competing successfully at continental and international levels.
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