Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria president Tayo Popoola has hailed Nigeria’s athletes after a strong start at the ongoing African Taekwondo Championship in Mali, where the competition has drawn delegations from more than 35 countries.
Popoola said the early results have surpassed her expectations, noting that the tournament is still in progress and that some of the continent’s most highly rated fighters are still competing.
She reserved special praise for Ability Udom, who won gold in the K44 57kg para division. Udom’s triumph is part of Nigeria’s tally so far, with the country already collecting three medals in total.
“The event is still ongoing and it’s a tough one,” Popoola said. “We just had two bronze medals and one gold from Ability Udom, who did very well despite facing stiff competition.”
Popoola also highlighted the efforts of other Nigerian competitors. She pointed to Joel, who took part in the heavyweight class and faced Olympic and world champions. She added that Chidinma secured a bronze medal, while Salaudeen Abdulazeez also claimed bronze for Nigeria.
According to Popoola, the scale of the championship is a major factor in how demanding the tournament has been. “This event is quite huge because we have more than 35 countries here and many teams came with squads of up to 30 athletes. It’s a tough one, but Nigerian athletes are putting in their best,” she said.
Looking ahead, Popoola expressed confidence that Nigeria can add to its medal haul as the remaining bouts are played. “We are looking forward to winning more medals. Some countries came with world champions, but our athletes are up to the task. It’s tough, but we are going to do well.”
