Team Nigeria duo bow out as Adamu tackles Peru’s Oblitas

Team Nigeria’s pair of Esther Godwin and Ogeh Ogochukwu were shown an early exit on Thursday at the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-organised 2014 Youth Olympics Qualifiers taking place in Taipei, Chinese Taipei.

Their inexperience came to the fore against their more exposed opponents while in the male category, national sports festival silver medalist, Isah Adamu will on Friday tackle Peru’s Oblitas in the – 63kg.

Ogochukwu was the first casualty as she fell gallantly to Chile’s Francisca Rios 16-0 in her first international outing in the female -49kg.

According to taekwondo buffs, Ogochukwu’s nervousness coupled with her small stature may have contributed to her wide margin loss against the Chilean.

They however, argued that the difference between the two athletes was evident but said that it was a good experience for the Nigerian.

Like Ogochukwu, Also, Godwin was no match to Russia’s Turutina Yulia in the female -63kg as she was defeated 13-0 by the more experienced Russian.

However, taekwondo tacticians believe with more exposure, Godwin has the quality to be a world-class fighter. They described her as a potential star of the future.

Aside Adamu, who will be fighting today, Mohammed Bashir and Iniobong Ekong will also taste action.

Ekong will battle the winner between Croatia’s Ivina Babic and Canada’s Jerom Andrea in the female -55kg, while Bashir will confront Cote d’Ivoire’s Aaron Fran in the male -55kg.

The qualifiers end on Friday with 100 athletes made up 50 male and 50 female will secure their slots at the 2014 World Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

Other athletes will get another shot at making it to China during the continental qualifiers.

Team Nigeria gets tough draw as WTF Youth Olympics qualifiers begin

Team Nigeria’s duo of Esther Godwin and Ogeh Ogochukwu has been handed a tough challenge as the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-organised 2014 Youth Olympics Qualifiers kick off on Thursday in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei.

After their weigh-in on Wednesday, Godwin and Ogochukwu will take to the ring on Thursday March 20 at the Taipei Arena for their encounters against some experienced athletes.

Godwin, who will be competing in the female -63kg, may likely confront World Junior Champion, Korea’s Park Bo-eui in match 16 of the tournament.

The National Youth Games gold medalist is making her first international appearance and she will face a Herculean task against the favoured Korean who is expected to beat Russia’s Turutina Yulia in her preliminary encounter.

Also, Ogochukwu will also be jostling for honours in the female -49kg and she is expected to tackle the winner between Peru’s Huaman Georgina and Chile’s Rios Francisca.

The nine-man team is supported by the National Sports Commission (NSC) will be guided by the new national coach, Jin Beom Kim.

On Friday, the trio of Iniobong Ekong, Isah Adamu and Bashir Mohammed will take to the ring for their ties.

Ekong has been drawn to face the winner between Croatia’s Ivina Babic and Canada’s Jerom Andrea in the female -55kg, while Mohammed will confront Cote d’Ivoire’s Aaron Fran in the male -55kg.

Adamu, who will be competing in the male -63kg, will battle Peru’s Oblitas in the first round on Friday March 21.
100 athletes made of 50 male and 50 female are expected to secure their qualifications to the 2014 World Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China from the Taipei’s qualifiers.

However, athletes that fail to make it from the qualifiers in Taipei will have to compete at the continental level to ascertain his or her place at the global championship holding later in the year in China.