Muay Thai: Mamoudou "Axcel" Kéita: "I'm the best"

Hello. Introduce yourself to the readers of Sport News Africa

My name is Mamoudou "Axcel" Kéita. I'm a two-time ISKA K1 intercontinental champion (2021, 2022), ISKA light-heavyweight world champion in 2018, ISKA heavyweight world champion in 2020, WTB Benelux champion (Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg) in 2008 and Dutch champion (2007). I am currently the most decorated active Guinean athlete, and the most decorated in history.

After a fight in Antwerp (Belgium), you managed to retain your ISKA K1 intercontinental Muay Thai belt. How did you feel after receiving that belt while wearing the Guinean tricolour?

It's not easy to hold on to a title that everyone wants. It's a huge source of pride. It's the result of relentless hard work. As they say, hard work pays off. I've been fighting for 22 years and every time I always wear the Guinean tricolour. I'm the best and the most decorated active Guinean athlete. And in history too. When I wear the Guinean tricolour, it's a way of showing my attachment to my country.

A year ago, you won this belt with a victory over Belgium's Younès Benmalek. What were the circumstances of your preparation for this bout against Steve Magniez to defend your title?

I admit it wasn't easy. I prepared for this fight in difficult conditions. I did around 36 hours of training with a conditioning coach, not to mention family life. It wasn't easy. It's hard to reach the top, but the hardest thing is staying there. And I made all these sacrifices to be where I am now. I think it's the result of long, sustained work.

"I can still be active as an athlete or a coach"

Muay Thai will feature at the Olympic Games for the first time at Paris 2024. Do you have a place in that tournament at the back of your mind?

Next February I'll be 39, so at the Olympics I'll be 40. When you're 40, you have to be realistic. In a team sport you can get away with it, but in an individual sport, especially a combat sport, it's not straightforward. With the experience I've gained and my know-how, I think I could prepare athletes better.

Your return to Guinea with your intercontinental title sparked excitement back home. What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to stage a fight in Conakry, as the current Minister of Sports, Béa Diallo, once did. To make the people of Guinea proud. Many promises have been made by members of the government about my plan for a fight in Conakry. But so far nothing has been done. I hope the transitional government will let me carry out this project. I want the chance to defend my belt in Guinea. Anyone who wants to take it can come and get it from me in Guinea.

Over the course of your career, you have collected many trophies, including the ISKA heavyweight world title in 2020. What is your next goal?

It's to have the chance to come back to Guinea, create a proper federation, equip gyms in different localities and organise competitions with structures in place, so we have athletes ready to compete at national, regional and international level. If I've been able to become a champion, it's because in every corner of the country there is a champion, a talent who isn't being showcased. I'm at the end of my career and there is a lot of work to do. I can still be active as an athlete or a coach.

Mamadou Gongorè DIALLO