A 13-member Team Nigeria squad, which includes Para athletes and Poomsae competitors for the first time, has begun its quest at the 2026 African Taekwondo Championships in Bamako, Mali, with the competition proper getting underway on Saturday (today) following Friday’s weigh-in.
Nigeria Taekwondo Federation President Tayo Popoola expressed confidence in the contingent ahead of the championships, declaring the team ready to compete and represent the nation with distinction.
Popoola, who is the first female black belter in Kukkiwon Dan Grading in Nigeria, made the declaration on the sidelines of the National Taekwondo Federation Open Trials held at the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta, where more than 300 athletes competed over three days in both Poomsae and Kyorugi events.
“We are going to Mali. The Federal Government has done its part; they have given us everything that we need to be in Mali, and for the first time, we are presenting the para and the poomsae, which is one of our new discoveries in taekwondo,” Popoola said.
“This is the first time we are travelling with such a large contingent, and it shows that Nigerian Taekwondo is moving in the right direction.”
She also highlighted the completion of a Kukkiwon Dan certification exercise as critical to the team’s eligibility for international competition, noting that athletes must possess the recognised certification to participate globally.
The federation’s broader programme is focused on building a team capable of competing for medals at the African Games and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The Nigerian contingent for the championships includes Salawudeen Abdulafeez (Kyorugi -63kg, Under 30 male Poomsae, Pair Poomsae), Harun Usman (Under 40 male Poomsae), Aderibigbe Faridah (Kyorugi -53kg, Pair Poomsae, Freestyle Poomsae), Faisal Hamidu (Kyorugi -68kg), Abeeblahi Oladimeji (Kyorugi -54kg), Chidinma Okoko (Kyorugi -62kg), Abogun Modinat (Kyorugi -46kg), Jordan Joel (Kyorugi +87kg), Ability Matthew Udo (Para -57kg), Faster Bakare (Para -70kg) and Samson Ukpera (Para 80kg). John Victor and Santos Akhilele serve as coaches.
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