Anyanacho eyes medal at Tokyo Olympics

ELIZABETH Anyanacho

ELIZABETH Anyanacho, who is the first woman in 16 years to represent Nigeria in the taekwondo event of the Tokyo Olympic Games says she is determined to repeat Chike Chukwumerije’s feat.

Recalls that Chukwumerije won a bronze medal in taekwondo event of Beijing 2008 and Anyanacho, 22, wants to make a podium appearance too in Tokyo.

However, this long hiatus for Nigeria in the sport has set tongues wagging over
the fortunes of the sport in the country. While some taekwondists are of the view that the outgoing Margaret Bingaled board of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has performed well in office, others argue to the contrary.

African Games gold medallist in 2019, Chinazum Nwosu, believes that under the Binga-led board, the sport has witnessed several successes especially in terms of athletes ranking, grading, and organisation of tournaments.

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“I want to tell you that so much has changed under the Binga-led board especially when it comes to the ranking system, selection of athletes for major competitions as well as Kukkiwon grading system. Prior to the outgoing board, we had no ranking as athletes are selected randomly to represent the country.

But now every athlete knows his or her rating and this is the basis of athletes’ selection for major tournaments. The Kukkiwon grading system has really improved unlike in the past where things were not done properly,” Nwosu said.

She added: “The coaching system has also improved as more coaches are well updated on the latest rules in the sport. I must also commend the efforts of the technical
director, Chika Chukwumerije, who has been working hard to make certain changes in the interest of the athletes.”