The Abuja camp of the National Taekwondo team has come alive as athletes intensify training for the 2017 World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) World Championships holding this month in Muju, Korea.
With the eight athletes led by 2015 African Games gold medalist, Utoadinma Uzoamaka already shaping up for the championship under the watchful eyes of a national coach, Victor John.
The remaining athletes expected to make the trip to the Asian country are Chinazum Nwosu, Josephine Esuku and Abdullahi Fatimah will compete in the women weight category, while the quartet of Segun Olusola, Edwin Samson, Kolade Bright and Santo Akhilele.
According to the Secretary General of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), Oriss Taiwo, the athletes are joined by four others who will act as sparring partners.
He added that the tournament serves as qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan as the top ranked athletes in the championship would get automatic qualification to the Olympic Games.
As a G12 tournament, the new scoring system would be used during the championships on June 24 to 30, while the scribe said that to acquaint the athletes with the new scoring technology, the camp would expose the athletes to the new system.
“I am hopeful that we will make the trip as the Ministry of Youth and Sports have promised to support but we are open to support of corporate bodies in order to make the trip to Korea. This is another opportunity for the athletes to improve their world ranking as well as take shots at making it to Tokyo 2020 through the tournament. The camp is alive and the athletes are responding well to training and we are hopeful that we can make an impact in the tournament,” Taiwo said.