Turkish Open exploits, Anyanacho storms Hurghada for Egypt Taekwondo Championship

Turkish Open exploits, Anyanacho storms Hurghada for Egypt Taekwondo Championship

By Admin

National Champion in the -67 kg, Elizabeth Anyanacho on Monday arrived Alexandria, Hurghada, venue of highly rated World Taekwondo Championship, Egypt Open scheduled for this weekend.

From Turkey, she touched Egypt at exactly 3pm ahead of looming clash in the northern African region.

The competition rated G-2 is meant to get underway between February 21 and 24, 2019.

Anyanacho who is blazing the trail despite announcing her presence on the taekwondo scene barely two years ago, will aim to surpass her performance at the just concluded Turkish Open she defeated an opponent from the host nation 17-0, before bowing to a Croatian 5-25.

Anyanacho headed to Antalya, Turkey, barely one week after Nigeria Taekwondo International Open ended in Abuja, where she dusted her opponent and emerged champion.

She said: “I want to thank God for seeing me through so far and my Coach for his support and encouragement. For now, all I’m focused on is to keep fit and grow in courage whenever I meet my opponents.

“I’m also looking forward to gaining more ranking points before All Africa Games and Olympic qualifiers. And I know I won’t achieve much without hard work and persistence at any time I’m opportune to be exposed.”

Aside winning gold medal at Nigeria Open, Anyanacho also clinched gold at the 2018 National Sports Festival.

Earlier at the Nigeria Open, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF) had asked Athletes to always avail themselves to more international tournaments as way of gaining more exposure and ranking points ahead of 2020 Olympics.

President of the federation, Mrs Margret Binga who gave the advice however noted that the just concluded first-ever international event in Nigeria after 37 years was another plus to the entire taekwondo community.

Giving an overview of the competition, NTF Technical Director and three-time Olympian Chika Chukwumerije assured that the global event would be staged annually.

Nigeria finished tops at the competition, with 28 out of 31 participating team garnering at least a medal. 13 Nigerians scooped 13 gold medals out 16 available