Haji Okwato, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, emerged as a bronze medalist at the Korean Ambassador's Cup held on August 13-14, 2024, in Rwanda. Haji, competing in the Fin weight category (-54kg), faced 25 players from various East African countries. After a series of hard-fought matches, he reached the semi-finals, where he narrowly lost to a member of the Rwandese National Team, placing third in the category. The Korean Ambassador’s Cup is one of the most highly-regarded taekwondo competitions in the region, serving as a stepping stone for elite athletes preparing for major international tournaments including the African Championships, World Championships, and the Olympic Games.

Participating for the first time in the competition, Haji took part in the taekwondo sparring event. "It was my first time at such a top-tier competition, and the experience was incredible. Competing against the best players in the Fin weight (-54kg) category from all over East Africa was both challenging and rewarding," Haji shared.

Haji's journey to the Korean Ambassador’s Cup began last year, when he learned about the tournament from his coach. He undertook extensive preparation to compete at this level, having to balance his rigorous training schedule with the demands of his pharmacy studies. “I had to be highly organized and loyal to my personal schedule,” Haji explained. “Training for at least four hours a day while managing my academic workload was challenging, but I knew it was necessary to compete at the highest level.”

Prior to competing in the Korean Ambassador's Cup, Haji took part in several competitions at the national level. In February 2024, he participated in the national university competitions and won a gold medal in his category. In April 2024, he was part of a 5-aside tournament was held at the National Youth Service department in Nairobi, where he and his teammates won the gold medal in the lower weight division. Reflecting on his participation in the university competitions, he mentioned that he had been competing in the KUSA competitions since September 2022, when he joined the university. He notes that all these tournaments have been valuable learning opportunities that have shaped his experiences.

“I’ve learned that everything is possible with practice and a relentless spirit,” Haji said. "This was solidified when I saw the best player in our category display techniques that my coach had been trying to teach us. I realized there's always room for growth, even after becoming a national team player," he added.

Haji credits his success to the support of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa, which played a crucial role in enabling his participation in the tournament. “I approached the Program Director, a few weeks before the competition, seeking support. She was very welcoming and instructed me to draft a budget and proposal,” Haji recounted. “I was thrilled when the Program committed to fully supporting me. They booked my air ticket, covered my accommodation, food, and registration fees, ensuring that I could focus entirely on my performance,” he says.

His latest win has prompted him to set his sights on higher goals. His short-term goal is to become the best player in Africa in his weight category, with aspirations to compete in the 2028 Olympics. He plans to train with greater intensity, attend more international tournaments, and continue to refine his skills with each competition.