Taekwondo: "The transition is more complex than the career," Cheick Cissé announces his retirement.
Ivorian taekwondo athlete Cheick Cissé, gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics and world champion in 2023, has decided to retire after being one of the greatest ambassadors for his sport in Africa. In an interview with RFI, he discusses his journey and shares his plans and aspirations for this new phase of his life.
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Africa loses one of its greatest athletes on the mats. After 13 years of competition, with two Olympic medals, including gold in Rio in 2016 and a world title in 2023, Cheick Cissé has chosen to retire to focus on a new chapter in his sporting career.
A true emblematic figure of taekwondo in Côte d'Ivoire and across the African continent, Cheick Cissé made history by becoming the first Ivorian Olympic champion at the Rio Olympics in 2016, the same year his compatriot Ruth Gbabi also won a bronze medal in this discipline.
Transitioning: “It’s a crucial aspect, sometimes more difficult than the career itself”
With an impressive record and a life dedicated to his sport, the Bouaké native is aware of the challenges that come with transitioning to life after competition for many athletes. “It’s a crucial aspect, sometimes even more difficult than the career. An athlete is used to traveling, training, participating in competitions... Then, if one does not prepare properly for the transition, one can suffer a psychological shock,” he stated in an interview with RFI.
However, the Ivorian champion did not wait until the last moment to consider his future and set new goals, to the point where the fear of emptiness seems to have spared him. “Everything is already planned. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by an excellent team that allows me not to feel any emptiness in my journey,” he said. “Personally, I love risk, commitment, and the fight. With my team, we have prepared everything to avoid any void. Today, I think that the presidency of the Federation is something that excites me. It’s in the same field, in my sporting environment, where I feel very comfortable and I am convinced it will work,” Cheick Cissé explained.
Also read2024 Olympics: Côte d'Ivoire and taekwondo, an Olympic love story
Becoming a role model outside of competitions
As a reference for an entire generation of young Ivorians, he also inspires pride in his first coach, Lucien Christian Kragbé, who trained him from childhood at the Ineka club in Koumassi, a suburb of Abidjan. “It’s a huge pride to have had Cheick, who arrived here at the age of 10. We made him a competitor, we instilled the spirit of combat in him,” Kragbé told RFI ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Now, Cheick Cissé also wants to set an example in areas beyond sports: “I am very proud of figures like Didier Drogba or Samuel Eto'o, who have been examples not only on the field but also off it. That’s the model I want to follow, because athletes often have this image that they are only good in the arena, and then nothing else.”
“I want to affirm that today, athletes can play an important role in all areas and it is essential to maximize their potential, because we have a strong mentality. Throughout our careers, we have faced disappointments, but we have always risen again because we had the responsibility to defend our country, and we did. I believe this mentality must be passed on to the new generation. We can excel in all aspects of life,” he asserted.
Also readCôte d'Ivoire: How taekwondo became the favorite martial art of Ivorians [2/3]
“I felt the support of my continent”
The athlete, through the Cheick Cissé Foundation, has already begun to engage in promoting taekwondo in Côte d'Ivoire, especially among the youth. “With the foundation, we are in a spirit of solidarity. The foundation is the coaches. They are the ones who train great champions,” insists the 2016 Olympic champion. “We are trying to carry out solidarity actions to equip and we are committed to identifying and supporting talents, to train champions, not just on the field but also off it. Examples and future leaders for tomorrow,” he clarified.
And when asked about the journey he has taken, Cheick Cissé admits he has not had the time to fully appreciate his successes. “The problem for athletes is that we don’t have time to savor our victories. We only have time to celebrate and then we move on to a new goal. Looking back, I realize that I have accomplished a lot,” he confided.
But when he reflects on his career, he especially wants to express his gratitude for the support he has received from the Ivorian and African public throughout his career. “I felt the support of all of Africa, I saw all the Ivorians supporting me. It’s me on the mat, I’m the athlete, but it’s especially thanks to them. I saw my continent by my side, it gave me strength. If I have been able to accomplish this journey, it is especially thanks to them, thanks to their prayers.”
Also readCôte d'Ivoire: Taekwondo, Ivorian boom and golden generation [3/3]
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