Nigeria returns to world taekwondo championships in Russia

THE country’s national taekwondo team will participate at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-organised world championships scheduled to hold this week in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
 
Three experienced athletes led by Beijing 2008 Olympics bronze medalist, Chika Chukwumerije will hoist Nigeria’s flag at the global tournament, where athletes are expected to garner points for their final qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil.
 
United States-based Saturday Bashir and France-based Murtala Mohammed will be on duty at the tournament kicking off tomorrow at Traktor Arena in Chelyabinsk.
 
Besides Nigeria, some top African teams like Gabon, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia are also using the tournament as a tune-up to this year’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.
 
According to the President, Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), George Ashiru, who was at the WTF yearly General Meeting (AGM) said the team’s build up was hampered by the political and economic situation in the country.
 
He however ruled out prospect of medals. “Our chances are much slimmer than usual because we didn’t have the luxury and indeed necessity of a formal training camp you would expect from the biggest event of the year.”