DRC: the national team karatekas in specific mental flexibility training

Kinshasa, August 18^th, 2026 (CPA). – The Congolese Karate-do Federation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Fekaco) has affirmed, on Tuesday to CPA, that the Leopards national team has begun, as since Monday, a specific mental preparation session in anticipation of the African Championships scheduled for September 7^th to 13^th in Algiers, Algeria. “The karatekas of DRC’s national ‘Leopards’ team (cadets, juniors and seniors) have begun a mental preparation session this Monday, August 17^th, focusing on psychological resilience. This specific training camp, which will continue until the day before their departure for Algeria, is taking place in Gombe (north of Kinshasa), at the specialised ‘Move your Body’ hall,” has declared Ngoyi Kabongo, assistant coach of DRC’s various national karate teams. According to Ngoyi Kabongo, the entire intensive preparation programme has been meticulously designed with the African Nations Championships in mind, scheduled to take place from September 7^th to 13^th in Algiers, Algeria. To maximise the chances of success, the federal committee of the Congolese Karate Federation (Fekaco), under the guidance of its National Technical Directorate (DTN), has implemented an innovative training strategy. The focus has been on specific training sessions conducted in an environment with high decibel levels. The aim is to faithfully replicate the fervour and acoustic pressure of actual finals. This total auditory immersion is designed to toughen the athletes up against the deafening noise from the stands. It will thus enable them to remain focused and instantly pick up on their coach’s strategic instructions, even in the midst of the chaos of the bouts. Furthermore, he has noted that, at the opening of this preparatory session focused on mental strength, the president of the Congo Karate-do Federation (Fekaco), Claude Tshisekedi, has innovated by inviting an English and music teacher. The teacher has spoken to stimulate the Leopards’ competitive spirit and reinforce their pride in competing under DRC flag. This psychological immersion and group dynamic will be rigorously maintained right up until 24 hours before the big departure. In addition, athletes competing in Kumite and Kata are now following a strict nutritional regime tailored to the demands of high-performance sport. In conclusion, the assistant coach has emphasised that this trip to Algeria left no room for improvisation: the sole objective is to fly the national flag high. The Congolese ‘Wild Beasts’ are aiming for as many medals as possible, in order to climb to the top step of the continental podium. As a reminder, during their last appearance at the African Zone 4 Championships in Bujumbura, Burundi, DRC had made a lasting impression by finishing second in the overall standings. The Congolese karatekas had returned home with an impressive haul of 29 medals, including 11 gold, 6 silver and 12 bronze.ACP/