2019 African Games bronze medallist, Elizabeth Anyanacho is aiming to achieve a podium finish at Tokyo Olympic Games next year.
The Olympic bound athlete stated this when she presented her Olympic qualification plaque to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare.
She commended the minister for his support toward her participation at the 8th Fujairah Open in February and ensuring Team Nigeria participated at the Olympic qualifiers.
The 21 year old athlete said, “I am grateful for this honour to meet with the Honourable Minister to present my qualification plaque. I believe it is possible to be on the podium next year in Tokyo and we are working very hard toward this objective.
“ I am the least ranked of all my opponents so I know that I would need maximum exposure leading up to the games to get the experience needed. Mentally, I am very ready for the hard work ahead.”
Earlier, the minister of sports, Sunday Dare applauded the feat and commended Elizabeth for being a model for youth emulation.
He said, “There is an abundance of talent across Nigeria. Here is yet another story that buttresses my point. Elizabeth has backed up her talents with hard work and made history. Across various sports, we are starting to see very young talents that we would have to keep supporting and developing.”
Also present at the presentation were the Secretary-General of the Federation, Kabir Yusuf and the Technical Director, Engr. Chika Chukwumerije.
Elizabeth Anyanacho is the second ever female and the first female in 16 years to qualify Nigeria for the Olympics in the Taekwondo event, a feat last achieved at the Athens 2004 Olympic by Princess Dudu.
The 21-year Elizabeth Anyanacho clinched the ticket after defeating firm favourite and multiple African Champion, Urgence Mouega 12-5, during the critical semi-finals of the African Qualification tournament, held 23rd to 24th February 2020 at Rabat, Morocco.
The Taekwondo event would hold between 24 and 27th July 2021, with Elizabeth set to compete on 26th July 2021 in the female -67kg category.
