The Ivorian economic capital confirmed its status as a hub for continental sports by hosting the grand finale of the African Open Series, a major tournament organized by the African Taekwondo Union (AFTU), on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Korean Center in Adjamé, Abidjan.

The event brought together the top finalists from earlier zonal competitions held this year in Addis Ababa, Maputo, Bamako, and Laayoune, highlighting young athletes who are still relatively unknown on the international stage. Competitors from eighteen countries delivered an intense spectacle, revealing new talents and confirming the growing potential of African taekwondo.

The opening ceremony featured numerous prominent personalities, adding special prestige to the finale. In the absence of the President of the Ivorian Taekwondo Federation (FITKD), the national delegation was led by Vice President Me Boubacar Coulibaly, accompanied by iconic figures such as Olympic champion Cissé Sallah Cheick, Director of the Korean Center Me Patrick Remarck, and Mamadou Camara N’Diaye from the World Taekwondo Federation.

For Me Boubacar Coulibaly, the event is of vital importance for the development of the sport. He stated that the competition offers a unique opportunity for lesser-known athletes to gain recognition and enter the elite, calling the tournament a genuine chance for them to make their mark. He also praised the confidence AFTU has shown in Côte d’Ivoire by choosing Abidjan as the host city.

Analyzing the technical level, the FITKD Vice President highlighted that African taekwondo is on the rise, noting the presence of future champions in Africa. He emphasized the determination and intensity of athletes who, even without frequent exposure to top-level competitors, demonstrated remarkable potential.

The venue, the Korean Center in Adjamé, symbolizes successful cooperation between Korea and Côte d’Ivoire. According to its Director, Me Patrick Remarck, the facility perfectly aligns with the diplomatic and sporting objectives of both nations.

From a technical perspective, Mamadou Kamara N’Diaye recalled the strategic importance of the African Open Series, designed to integrate young athletes into professional circuits. He particularly emphasized the G1 classification of the finale, explaining that this label gives the competition significant weight in global rankings and the qualification race for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

At the conclusion of the matches across eight categories, the technical delegate expressed great satisfaction with the results. He highlighted the emergence of young talents ready to reach new levels and praised Guinea’s historic performance, winning its first-ever gold medal at a tournament of this caliber.