Kelly Charles of the FCT won two gold medals at the 7th edition of Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship in Lagos, Nigeria.
Charles won gold medal in the Kata (demonstration) before defeating Gift Chukwuemeka of Delta in the -59kg junior final of the Kumite event at the indoor hall of Molade Okoya, Teslim Balogun, Lagos.
Charles told www.aclsports.com that after seeing the pairings of the -59kg junior final, she summoned up courage to take up the challenge.
She revealed that facing Gift Chuwuemeka was a huge task adding that she told herself not to underestimate her.
She said, “I feel really good; I was not expecting the gold medal. I told myself before entering the mat that I can do the unthinkable and thank God I did it.
“When I saw the pairing that I will be facing Gift in the finals; I told myself not to underestimate her because she can come with anything; be prepared and alert.”
She added that former National Champion, Ifeanyi Osai has been taken her through the processes of Karate before her major breakthrough at the 7th Zainab Saleh Championship.
She said, “I wanted to try something new from what I used to do and attend more tournament. Sensei Ifeanyi Osai has been taking me through my Karate classes before attending this championship.
“This is my first major competition but I always participate in state competitions for exposure.”
