Despite
copping an ankle injury on his way to the semifinal, Beijing Olympics bronze
medalist, Chika Chukwumerije returned to winning ways to settle for bronze
medal alongside his compatriots, Sunday Onofe and Joy Ekhator at the African
Senior Taekwondo Championships held in Tunisia.
The five-man team claimed three medals
as well as garnered over 60.48 points in total to improve their world rating.
140 athletes from 18 African countries
took part in three-day tournament, which served as an avenue for athletes to
gain crucial word ranking points. This plays a key role for Rio 2016 Olympics
qualification.
The El Complex De Menza Arena in Tunis
hosted the competition with three-time Olympian, Chika Chukwumerije defying the
massive home supports his opponent - Tunisia’s Abdelrahim Abidi got to win his
first fight at 10-3.
He however copped an ankle injury
during the fight but he was able to hold sway to win the encounter.
Aware of what is ahead of him when the
World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)-organised Grand Prix Olympics series holding
in China, Chukwumerije had to withdraw from the semifinal tie to settle for
points, which also earned him 14.40 points in world rating.
To also pick bronze medal, Onofe
floored Hama Alzouma of Niger Republic in the round of 16, beat Fiston Lumu
Tshimanga of Democratic Republic of Congo in the quarterfinals, before losing
to number one seed in -80kg, Issam Chernoubi of Morocco (8 – 5).
Ekhator first opponent was Sondess of
Tunisia but the home girl pulled out of the competition paving the way for Ekhator
to meet with Nour Ahmed Hussein Abdelsalem of Egypt, where she lost (10 – 6)
but she still won a bronze medal to her credit.
All Africa Games gold medalist, Jamilu
Mohammed put up a disappointing performance against Libya’s Yousef Saleh to
lose (12 – 2), while captain Uche Chukwumerije defeated Remy Alazoula of
Democratic Republic of Congo (4 – 2) in the round of 16, before losing to the number
one seed in the -87kg category, Yassine of Turkey in the quarterfinal.
For reaching the quarterfinals, Uche and
Mohammed gained 8.64 World and Olympic ranking points each, while the trio of
Chika Chukwumerije, Onofe and Ekhator garnered 14.40 World and Olympic ranking points.
From points gained, the entire t can be
assured of moving up the world ranking.
Uche who has picked up a massive 21
points from three tournaments in the past six weeks is expected to be in top 20
when the global rankings are released in June.
Using the Olympic ranking system, the
top six athletes qualify automatically for the Rio 2016 Olympics, without having
to undergo the regular qualifying process.
The trip to Tunisia was part sponsored
by Zuma Energy Limited, following an appeal made by Chika Chukwumerije Sports
Foundation (CCSF) to support taekwondo development in Nigeria, while the athletes
privately raised the rest of the funds.
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