2023 World Boxing Championships – Toussaint Lofanga: "We intend to give the DRC its first world medal"

Sport News Africa: Toussaint Lofanga, you are about to take part in the World Championships. Have you prepared well?

Toussaint Lofanga: Yes, preparation went well even though we didn't have much time. But we did the essentials. We covered general physical conditioning, technique and tactics. The athletes did good sparring and everything went well.

The DRC is fielding 7 athletes in this competition. Can we expect medals?

Our team has reached a good level. We started training with experienced athletes. You should know that in this group we have two who are at their second World Championships after 2019; they are Fiston Mbaya (-63.5 kg) and David Tshama (-75kg). The group is made up of experienced athletes. Three of them won medals at the last Mohamed VI Trophy, which was an international-level competition. Kulenguluka (-71 kg) won silver, and Tshama and Pita (-80 kg) won bronze. That makes 4 athletes in all who have already had a taste of international competition. So we are hopeful and we intend to give the DRC its first world medal.

What about the three other athletes who will be competing at a world event for the first time?

Among the other three, there is Maroy Sadiki (-92 kg), who has competed several times at continental level; he is an experienced boxer. Mbeli Nathan (-86 kg) and William Mbaki (+92 kg), on the other hand, are travelling abroad for a competition for the first time. It is a chance for them to discover the top level and gain experience. But during preparation, we made sure they trained at a level matching that of the competition.

Related: 2023 World Championships: DR Congo sends 7 boxers

On what basis did you select your athletes?

Toussaint Lofanga: Purely on performances. Some need no introduction given their latest results. Tshama and Pita, for example, are reigning African champions in their respective categories and bronze medallists at the Mohamed VI Trophy; Mbaya has always been present at the big events, and then there is Kulenguluka, whom many discovered in Marrakech with his silver medal and his KOs. Everyone knows what they are capable of. We picked the best in the country, because if you look, athletes from at least 4 provincial leagues have been selected for this national team.

Personally, you have been to several World Championships with the national team as a technical coach, and the DRC has never won a world medal. What could make it win a medal this year?

I have been at six World Championships with the national team and once at the Olympic Games, and we have never won medals. But we can feel that our squad has reached a good level. The athletes improve with every competition. The proof is that at the last Mohamed VI Trophy we won three medals. That competition was of a very high standard because there were international-class athletes, even champions and Olympic medallists; but we managed to win three medals. That is what gives us even more hope for these World Championships, where we intend to give the DRC its very first world medal.

Do you sense determination in your athletes?

Yes, they are very determined to go after medals, and on the technical side we have done good work too. I didn't work alone; I was with several coaches from the country. We all worked hard so that the results would be better. We are counting on our work and on God to succeed.

Masiala Jonathan