Taekwondo: Korean Ambassador Cup Begins in Abuja Friday
…As para-athletes undergo classification for global meets
The 2026 edition of the Korean Ambassadors Cup starts Friday in Abuja with about 350 athletes taking part in various cadres of the entire programme.
This event, which is 14th in the series is expected to take place at the Mo Arena in Abuja.
Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Yo-an Jeong, is one of the special dignitaries expected to grace the event which is being conducted in accordance with world best practices in Taekwondo.
According to the President of the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Tayo Popoola, the event will also witness the Kukkiwon Demonstration team live in Abuja, Nigeria and this brings this event to the global audience of the sport.
“We are so proud to be doing this in Nigeria and so come the final day of the Korean Ambassadors Cup on Sunday, the Kukkiwon Demonstration team will be on parade.
“All is set and we are ready for a very entertaining days of so much fun and education for the athletes and officials of the sport. I thank the leadership of the National Sports Commission under Chairman, Shehu Dikko and the Director General, Bukola Olopade for all the support given to us,” Popoola said.
Only on Thursday, the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), in partnership with World Taekwondo, has successfully classified more than 20 para-taekwondo athletes, paving the way for greater international participation ahead of the World Para Taekwondo Championships.
The classification exercise took place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja ahead of the 2026 Korean Ambassador Cup, which starts on Friday under the theme, “Empowering Abilities Through Taekwondo.”
Para athletes include, Ololade Jafar Hassan, Martha Agoola, Samson Folorunso, Liberty Bright, Priest Ifechukwude Anukposi, Cedrick Ogechukwu Eyam and Usman Taiwo Sanusi.
Others include, Paul Owoidoabasi, Abdulrazaq Akintola Awoniyi, Daniel Okanlawon, Musa Bala, Abdullahi Muhammad, Abdurahmon Zakariyya, Muhammendnuhu Abdulganiyu.
Speaking during the exercise, international classifier Claudia Sanches described Nigerian para taekwondo athletes as talented and capable of improving their performances, expressing optimism about their prospects in the sport.
