Omotayo Fashola
(Nigeria’s triumphant Taekwondo squad. Photo credit: Punch News)
Team Nigeria has made an impressive statement at the 2026 African Taekwondo Championships in Bamako, Mali, securing seven medals—three gold, one silver, and three bronze—at the prestigious G-4 tournament sanctioned by World Taekwondo. The competition, held at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga, saw Nigerian athletes shine across multiple disciplines.
Tuesday’s Poomsae events proved particularly fruitful for the Nigerian contingent. Aderibigbe Faridah dazzled judges to claim gold in the Freestyle Poomsae category before teaming up with Salawudeen Abdulafeez to secure silver in the Pair Poomsae competition.
The medal rush began earlier with standout performances from Haruna Usman, who struck gold in the Poomsae U-40 Male division, and Para-Taekwondo star Mathew Udom, who delivered Nigeria’s first gold medal in the -57kg Kyorugi event on Monday.
Bronze medals came from Joel Jordan (+87kg Kyorugi), Chidinma Okoko (-62kg Kyorugi) after her quarterfinal victory over Mali’s Samake Goundo, and Salawudeen Abdulafeez in the Poomsae U-30 Male category.
While Morocco dominated the Kyorugi events with eight golds to claim the overall championship, Nigeria’s strong showing has cemented their position among Africa’s taekwondo elite.
Nigerian Taekwondo Federation President Tayo Popoola praised the team’s determination following their initial success, urging them to maintain momentum. The athletes responded emphatically, delivering a series of podium finishes that exceeded expectations.
