By Sereana Salalo/PACNEWS

Despite the challenges, his dedication and unconventional approach paved the way for his extraordinary journey to Paris.

With just two years of experience in the sport, the 25-year-old made his Olympic debut at the Grand Palais, competing in the Men’s 68kg category at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Kassman credits Taekwondo with guiding him toward a positive path in life, a path he might not have discovered without the influence of his two siblings and late mother, who introduced him to the sport.

In his Paris 2024 outing, Kassman faced Team Great Britain’s Bradley Sinden, a silver medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

He acknowledged that Paris 2024 was the biggest competition of his career thus far, with his previous major event being the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifying Competition in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where he won a silver medal.

"It's just wow.

"I watched this guy [Sinden] on YouTube—he’s my idol—and fighting him is crazy.

“He’s been competing since 2016, and I only started two years ago, yet here I am," Kassman said.

Kassman explained that when the designated combat zone in PNG is unavailable, he trains in his backyard, which played a crucial role in getting him to the Olympics.

"We've been given a combat zone in PNG, but sometimes it's not available, and we show up only to find it closed.

“So, the backyard is where we train; the backyard got us here, so the backyard is still winning," he said.

Coached by his older brother, Kassman believes that sport, including Taekwondo, instills discipline and purpose in young people.

"Sports not only helped me, but I also know it can help a lot of youths out there—join sports, find yourself, and keep going.

“Find your drive, get out of whatever you’re doing that is harmful to you and your community.

“If you want to be someone, get out of your comfort zone and present yourself to the world.

“Taekwondo saved me in a way; look at me—I’m in Paris.

“I never dreamt of fighting the World’s Number 2; it’s a good experience,” Kassman said.

He plans to return to training with the goal of competing in the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.

"I hope we get funding to compete outside of PNG.

“Recently, we had a five-week training stint in Adelaide.

“In five weeks, you can't work miracles, especially when most athletes here have trained for years, but I’m proud to be here and represent my country,” he said.

While Kassman acknowledges that taekwondo is a minority sport in PNG, he hopes to see more support from the government, especially as it is an Olympic discipline.