Mchezo to support Lesotho's taekwondo star in road to olympics 2024

Kigali, January 26th 2024  Lesotho’s taekwondo ace, Michelle Tau, has received a major boost from Mchezo Limited, which will see the star’s dream of training at Spain’s Combat Sport Academy realised in preparation for the 2024 Olympics.

Mchezo, which owns the betting brand betPawa, said the move to support Michelle is in line with its vision of investing in the future of sports, which includes amplifying talent in Africa. 

“Michelle is unwavering in her dedication to rigorous training and pursuit of qualifications, which means she has to be in top form to be able to represent Lesotho at the highest level in the 2024 Olympics in Paris,” said Mchezo Managing Director Ntoudi Mouyelo. 

“It is this determination that caught our attention because it falls squarely within one of Mchezo’s objectives, which is to ignite inspiration across Africa.”

Mchezo has committed to sponsoring Michelle’s training programme and stays at the Combat Sport Academy in Spain, as well as furnishing her with training gear and equipment in readiness for the games that start on 26th July. 

“My dream is to be the first female Olympian medalist in Lesotho at the 2024 Paris Games. I believe that I will achieve this if I concentrate on training and preceding competitions because now I don't have to think of financial constraints to do with administrative issues,” said Michelle. 

She is ranked number one in Africa in the senior female category and fifth globally. 

The 27-year-old avers that the Combat Sport Academy is ideal due to its experienced pool of trainers renowned for preparing athletes for the Olympics and international competition. 

“Most of the elite and professional taekwondo athletes that qualified for the 2020 Olympics trained there, so I am very grateful to Mchezo for sponsoring my training here,” she said from her training camp in Spain.

About Michelle

Michelle took up taekwondo at a young age, inspired by her father, the late Taekwondo legend John Molise Tau. She has been part of the Lesotho national team since 2013. Her preparations for the 2024 Olympics started in 2021 through a self-sponsored training programme. She serves as the Female Taekwondo Anti-Doping Ambassador for Lesotho and Africa, a role she champions for healthy and drug-free athletes. As well as being a taekwondo champion, Michelle is also a champion for women’s rights and makes it her mission to ensure that every girl or woman has the opportunity to learn how to defend themselves against gender-based violence.