Author

Laurène Ossin Kimi
Strenghts and weaknesses

Laurène Ossin Kimi trains at ATC Warriors in Alessandria, a gym run by Anuar Bykovskiy and Antonella Melotti, who live in the same building. I first met her in 2022, when she was only fourteen, a stage in life often marked by adolescent shyness, yet even then she already displayed remarkable technique and strength.

Just a few months after our first meeting, Laurène won the gold medal at the Cadet World Championships in Sofia, becoming the world champion in her category. Her dual Italian-Ivorian nationality further heightened attention around her, while her bond with her coaches, who have guided her since the age of eight, has grown into a truly familial relationship, built on mutual trust and commitment.

By 2025, her international journey presented her with complex choices, navigating pressures from sporting federations alongside her own cultural identity. In this context, the human and athletic support of Anuar and Antonella has remained central, proving that an athlete’s success is not born solely from talent, but also from a solid, enduring relationship founded on respect, discipline, and trust. The following words are taken from the documentary I made about Laurène after she won her first world title.

Photo and Video: Lorenzo Morandi
Words: Lorenzo Morandi, Laurène Ossin Kimi


My name is Laurène Ossin Kimi, I am 14 years old, and I won the Taekwondo World Championships in Sofia.

When I was younger, I used to be a bit more confident, and I almost always faced opponents who were not as strong. At the World Championships, I met people with greater technique and potential, and I got a bit scared because I had never felt that way before. In my second match against the Australian athlete, I was signaling to my coach, Anuar Bykowskiy, indicating that I couldn't handle it anymore because I was afraid.

I knew that my parents, the Ivory Coast National Team, my friends, and my coaches were counting on me. Having the mindset that I couldn't do something is detrimental because it leads to defeat. But that wasn't the case.

Upon returning to Italy, I reviewed all my matches to analyze my strengths and weaknesses. There are many things to improve, especially in preparation for the upcoming Junior World Championships. I need to have more self-esteem and manage anxiety, which is a crucial aspect of achieving great goals. My goal is to train to overcome every weakness of mine.