Para-Taekwondo: Successful Classification ’ll open global opportunities for athletes – Amusa
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 (today), 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.
Sanches said several athletes demonstrated the abilities required for their respective sport classes, adding that they had considerable potential to develop into high-performance competitors.
“Most of the athletes demonstrated the abilities required for their respective sport classes, adding that they had significant room for improvement and could aspire to become high-performance athletes.”
She explained that classification was essential to ensuring fair competition by assessing athletes according to their eligible impairments and placing them in appropriate sport classes.
Also speaking, an international para taekwondo classifier and Medical Doctor, Rasheed Amusa, said the successful classification would open doors for Nigerian athletes to compete in international tournaments, including the World Para Taekwondo Championships.
Amusa noted that the lack of classification had previously limited opportunities for talented Nigerian para-athletes to gain international exposure and participate in global competitions.
“We have a lot of talented para-athletes in Nigeria. Unfortunately, because we have not been able to classify them, it has been a problem to expose them and send them to international events,” he said.
He explained that classification involves assessing athletes according to the nature and severity of their eligible impairments to promote fairness and safety in competition.
Amusa disclosed that the exercise focused on athletes in the K44 sport class, which generally includes competitors with eligible impairments affecting one or both arms.
He added that para taekwondo accommodates athletes with different eligible impairments, although each category is subject to the sport’s established classification rules.
At the time of the interview, approximately 10 to 11 athletes had undergone classification, with the exercise continuing as more participants arrived.
Assessing their performances, Amusa expressed confidence in the athletes’ potential, noting that some had already demonstrated impressive technical abilities.
“We have seen some of them with very good techniques. I am sure that some of them will be able to stand out, although there are others who still need improvement,” he said.
The successful classification marks an important step in Nigeria’s preparations for international para taekwondo competitions, providing eligible athletes with the necessary assessments to pursue opportunities on the global stage.
It also reflects the NTF’s commitment to developing para taekwondo, expanding participation and creating more opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
With the 2026 Korean Ambassador Cup underway, the federation is expected to build on the classification exercise to strengthen the sport’s development and improve Nigeria’s representation in international competitions.
