African Taekwondo Championship: Nigeria wins Gold Medal in Bamako, Mali

Cheering news coming from Mali, has it that the Nigerian team to the African Taekwondo Championship holding in Bamako, Mali, continued their impressive performance yesterday when Para-Taekwondo Player, Ability Mathew Udo, surpassed all opposition to win Nigeria’s third medal at the on-going Continental show piece.

Fighting in the -57kg, Para athlete, Ability Mathew Udo displayed what could be better described as rare marksmanship by sending his opponents to the cleaners to win the Gold medal in their -57kg thus proving that there is indeed ‘Ability in disability.’

The win did not only put smiles on the faces of both athletes and officials of the team Nigeria Contingent led by the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Tayo Popoola, but went a long way in showcasing Nigeria’s rich potentials in combat sports especially, Taekwondo and the countries ability to rule Africa if given the needed encouragement.

Sending a strong message that Nigeria’ has what it takes to rule Africa and even the world in Taekwondo
Ability Mathew Udo’s wonderful performance has increased Nigeria medal haul to three; I gold and 2 bronze medals.

Fighting in the -87kg weight category, Jordan Joel started Nigeria’s victory runs on day one of the championship with a bronze medal. Chidinma Okolo made it two on Sunday when she won another bronze medal for Nigeria in the female -65 Kg weight division before Monday’s gold medal feat by Ability Mathew Udo.

Action will continue in Bamako today as hostilities commence in the Poomse event.
Excited by the performance of her team, the NTF President Tayo Popoola praised the athletes for their diligent, determination and resilience in the face of odds, but like Oliver Twist, will say, the President asked for more medals when she said, ” I know you can do it, so I need some more’.

Team Nigeria is expected back in the country on Wednesday, 3 June, 2026 at 6 pm Nigeria time on board Asty Airline.