South Korea could help Nigeria produce their second Olympic taekwondo medallist, following in the footsteps of Chika Chukwumerije ©Getty Images

South Korea has offered its support to the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation’s (TFN) push for medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by organising classes in the sport for both adults and children. 

Held at the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, the evening classes for children are being coordinated by coach Abdulmalik Mohammed.

Mohammed, who has been with the Korean Cultural Centre since 2009 and was educated at Kyung Hee University in South Korea’s capital Seoul, is a member of the TFN Board and a four-degree black-belter. 

He was reported as saying by Nigerian daily newspaper THISDAYLIVE that the training would expose the children to Korean culture, martial arts, self-defence and self-confidence, and that they would receive knowledge of basic techniques, style forms, contact sparring and board breaking.

Given the quality of the equipment provided, Mohammed said the Korean Cultural Centre initiative would be of huge benefit to Nigeria.

"The training board in the Centre is the only one of its kind in Nigeria," the third-class international referee told THISDAYLIVE.

"We have equipment like electronic body protectors that was never available in Nigeria before.

"Most of these facilities are hired by states for tournaments in the country."

Nigeria's Chika Chukwumerije won over 80kg taekwondo bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games ©Getty Images
Nigeria's Chika Chukwumerije won over 80kg taekwondo bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Nigeria were not represented at Rio 2016, despite qualifying a competitor for the three Olympics prior to that.

The West African country's team failed to perform to expectations at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Morocco last February.

Among those who failed to qualify was African Games gold and silver medallist Uzoamaka Otuadinma and African Games silver medallist Chinazum Nwosu.

Mohammed puts the setback down to a feud among TFN members at the tournament, which he claims had an effect on the athletes.

However, he is confident Nigeria will be back competing for Olympic medals in three years' time.

"We are sure of a medal in Tokyo 2020, but we must start preparing our athletes and attend world-sanctioned tournaments," Mohammed told THISDAYLIVE.

He cited the Rio 2016 performances of Ivory Coast’s Cheick Sallah Cissé, gold medallist in the men’s 80 kilograms, and Niger’s Abdoul Razak Issoufou, silver medallist in the men’s over 80kg, as sources of inspiration.

"The Africans from Niger and Ivory Coast that won gold medals at Rio achieved that through continued international exposure," Mohammed added.  

"We have the talent in Nigeria if well harnessed."

Nigeria has won one Olympic taekwondo medal in its history.

Chika Chukwumerije won one of the two over 80kg bronze medal matches at Beijing 2008, beating Uzbekistan's Akmal Irgashev.