They say a picture is worth 1000 words. So how much is a video worth? Check out Ugandan Rakib Abdul Fedha during the Bosphorus Parkour Cup in Istanbul, Türkiye. You can’t help but hold your breath in nail-biting anticipation.
The Uganda Gymnastics Federation was proudly represented from 5-7 September 2025 at the tournament by a capable team including athletes Abdul Rakib Fedha, Zubeda Talikaza, Coach Hassan Masembe Rice and the UGF President Harriet Ayaa.
Under the pressure of Istanbul’s Bosphorus Gymnastics Arena, with a crowd roaring for the local favorite, Uganda’s Rakib carved his name into the history books — not with noise, but with control, grace, and unmatched precision. Rakib, Uganda’s rising parkour sensation, made history by clinching the gold medal in the speed category, becoming the first Ugandan ever to do so.
The speed category is unforgiving — a single misstep can erase months of preparation. Rakib, however, was composed. With his characteristic flow and control, he executed a flawless run, navigating obstacles with clinical precision. His final time was 00: 24.21, edging past the home favourite Baris Karaduman’s 00:27.4
In the women’s competition, the home team proved to be superior with Acimiş İrem taking the gold, Dömnez Ela, clinching the silver and Madagascar’s Fitsikiana earning the bronze. Uganda’s Zubeda placed fifth in what proved to be a tight race.
The team’s good performance resonates beyond Uganda. For many young African athletes, it represents something bigger than sport — a symbol of possibility. This story reminds us that talent can be born anywhere, but it thrives when nurtured — even with minimal resources. In Rakib and Zubeda’s case, the drive to create, improve, and compete has ignited a movement among Uganda’s youth, many of whom are now taking to rooftops, rails, and improvised gym spaces with renewed purpose.
This was a watershed moment for Ugandan parkour. It catalyzed a strategic partnership between the Uganda Gymnastics Federation and the Turkish Gymnastics Federation, with a signed agreement promising: access to elite training camps in Turkey, provision of modern equipment, exchange programs for coaches, judges, and athletes
President of the Ugandan Gymnastics Federation, Harriet Ayaa, described it as “the dawn of a new era” — one where Ugandan athletes no longer watch from the sidelines but compete at the very heart of the action.