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

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

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

Ogochukwu was the first culprit 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 small stature may have contributed to her wide margin loss against the Chilean. They however, argued that the different 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 world-class fighter. They described her as a potential for the future.

Aside Adamu, who will be fighting on Friday, 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 have another shot at the making it to China during the continental qualifiers.