Taekwondo: Para-athletes battle for classification in Abuja ahead Korean Ambassador Cup

A pre-event for the 2026 Korean Ambassador Cup holds on Thursday (today) at the Package B of the National Stadium in Abuja.

It will be a classification of para-athletes (special athletes) that will be attending the world para championship. Officials of the World Taekwondo classifier will be in in attendance for the classifier and the event proper.

According to the President of the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Tayo Popoola, para-athletes are battle ready for the classifier event that will be conducted in line with world best practices.

The Classifiers already in Nigeria for this event are Rasheed Amusa (Chief classifier) and Ms. Claudia Sanches (international classifier).

“Classifiers medically and technically assess the para taekwondo athletes and group them into various classes based on their type and severity of their impairment. This is to ensure fairness and safety because classification is the backbone of any para sport,” Popoola said.

The Korean Ambassador Cup starts on Friday October 23rd in Abuja.

The Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yo-an Jeong, is delighted about the forthcoming event which is the 14th edition.

Popoola told newsmen on Wednesday that the event will start from the sports hall of the National Stadium Abuja and end at the MO ARENA also in Abuja.

The Taekwondo President showered praises on the National Sports Commission under the Chairman Shehu Dikko and the Director General, Bukola Olopade for the continued support to the federation’s activities.

The Kukkiwon Demonstration team will also be live in Abuja, Nigeria and this will further be a big boost to the event which end on Sunday October 25 in the federal capital, Abuja.

“This will be a big one for all taekwondo athletes. In all, we expect about 350 to take part in various cadres of the tournament and we are staging this in line with best global practices,” Popoola added.