The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Taekwondo team emerged winners of the 2017 Nigeria Taekwondo Open in Abuja. Recall that the NSCDC team won the Korean Ambassador Open last weekend.
The NSCDC narrowly topped the medals table with four gold and one silver, ahead of the Niger Republic national team which came second with three gold and one silver. The third position went to Q-Madi Taekwondo Club of Lagos with two gold and one silver medal, with Team Abia won one gold, one silver and three bronze medals for the fourth position.
In the feeder weight, a new discovery, Charles Okon (-58kg) of Kebbi state won gold to place his state sixth on the medals table after beating Q-Madi’s Abdulfathi Sanusi in the final. In the heavyweight male category, Niger Republic Djibo Kadri (-80kg) won the gold, pipping Nigeria’s Nzelu Chukwudi (Oyo State) by a golden point in extra time after they had ended 8-8 at the end of the final round.
In the senior female category Uzoamaka Otuadinma (+73 kg) of NSCDC won gold, while Olapeju Oyebanji of Lagos settled for silver. Chinazum Nwosu (-53 kg) of NSCDC took home the gold, while Iniobong Simon of Bayelsa settled for the silver.
The Most Valuable Player (Male) Athlete award went to Niger Republic, while Elizabeth Anyanacho of Team FCT won the MVP Female Athlete award.
The Niger Republic national team won the best team award.
John Victor emerged as the Best Coach, while the Best Referee award went to Rosemary Ugwu.
The first-ever B-ranked Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) event which began on Friday climaxed on Monday at the National Stadium.
They were two countries, namely Cameroon, Niger Republic, as well as 20 Nigerian states, four universities, six private clubs, two Armed forces and two para-military teams which took part in the Championship.