Nigeria’s U-17 Taekwondo representatives at the ongoing
Africa Youth Games (AYG) in Algiers, Algeria proved their worth in the African scene after the underdogs picked up
four medals in the day’s events.
Medalists
It is the first time the crop of 10 athletes will be availed the opportunity to compete for their country in any international event and the youngsters have done quite well enough in representing the nation. Nigeria came close to grabbing a Silver medal win, however four athletes made up for the loss with a Bronze medal each.
Daniel Asuquo and
Philip Osomade both won the medals in the Male category, while
Chidinma Okoro and
Chidinma Nwankwo emerged the winners in the female category.
The Technical Director of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) and the leader of the AYG 2018 contingents,
Chika Chukwumerije, described their performances as rewarding looking at the resources the athletes had to work with in preparations for the game.
Chukwumerije, who is also the
only Nigerian Taekwondo athlete to have ever won a medal at the Olympic Games, is very certain that with constant world class training and provisions Nigeria may very well be grooming her next Taekwondo Olympics medalist:
“This is how it all starts. They can blossom and do Nigeria proud in many more international events including Olympic Games depending on how ready we are to nurture them to stardom. All the same, well done to the young competitors for putting in their best in Algeria.”
— Chukwumerije
