There was expectation and support around Bopha Kong, Zakia Khudadadi and Djelika Diallo, whose commitment and determination resonate far beyond the para-taekwondo team. Training partners, coaches in the first row including Oury Stanzman, on the chair of coach all day and Haby Niaré, in the stand, the piercing voice of Gwladys Epangue to encourage them all, Hans Zohin who moves on his chair ... There was atmosphere for this final day of competition. It started perfectly with the fight of Djelika Diallo (-65kg), unstoppable against the Ukrainian Yuliya Lypetska, fourth in the world: two first minutes at full speed to quickly take the lead, before logically dropping a little physically at the beginning of the last minute and a half, while passing the thirty-point gap (35-4) to end the fight forty-five seconds before the end. A fight where she will have ultra-dominated, clear and spectacular.

The next round, already the semi-final, offered her an even more experienced opposition: nothing less than the world number 1 Lisa Gjessin, four times world champion and Paralympic champion. Forty-four years old and as much experience, the Dane scored from the beginning and managed perfectly the attacks of Djelika who managed to put two points, but, without any other choice than to attack to come back in the fight, was picked up by the vista of the Dane (2-14). A bronze medal that comes on top of her gold medal at the Sofia Grand Prix and her fifth place at the European Championships. Her progression continues.

Frustration pour Zakia Khudadadi

The balance of this day will necessarily be more contrasted for Zakia Khudadadi. The one who is unanimous in this French group - although she still carries the mark of the refugee team in the WT computer system - never really managed to put in danger the Turkish world number 3 Nurcihan Ekinci. Few openings, a very close score (8-10) for a five minutes round and frustration for the one who was still on a podium at the Grand Prix in Sofia. It is now necessary to look ahead.

Bopha Kong, the eternal warrior

Blue skies, there would still be some thanks to Bopha Kong. After arriving with a fever and an injured right shoulder, the fighter from Bondy, third in the world ranking, showed once again that the word "relaxation" was not part of his vocabulary. In his first match against the world number 8, Sanjarbek Muhtorov from Uzbekistan, he had to use his last strength to turn the match around in the last twenty seconds when the two fighters were tied 22-22, then to go ahead and win 26-22. A start that had undoubtedly left some traces at the time of attacking his semi-final against the Israeli Asaf Yasur. The 20 years old fighter from the Bosphorus, his ultra-precise shots, and his ability to create spaces made the scoreboard go up quickly to conclude on a 15-30, the Frenchman being obliged to give himself up, despite the lack of breath. Gold at the end of the day for this excellent Yasur, and bronze for Bopha Kong, an ever present warrior who allows France to conclude this Grand Prix at home with a fifth medal.