Fast-rising Nigerian taekwondo talent, Dairus Danlami has declared that he aims to pick a gold medal at the upcoming international championship billed for Abuja in February, sports247.ng reports.
Speaking of his plans for the competition, tagged Nigeria Taekwondo Open, the 23-year-old bronze medalist at the 2018 Korean Cup in Ghana, said he can rub shoulders with the best from anywhere across the world.
Danlami said he is not scared of the array of countries already confirmed for the championship, as he believes he can hold his own among the lot.
The competitors are coming from United States, Cameroun, Ghana, Niger Republic, Senegal, Mali and Togo, as organisers say they have already have signed up for the World Taekwondo (WT)-sanctioned event, which will hold from February 8 to 10.
Nigerian athletes dominate the list with over 43 already confirmed, as the deadline of registration was extended till January 29 to give more participants from the host country the opportunity to register online.
Over 100 athletes from 10 countries are expected to compete at the three-day championship, but Danlami insists he can rub shoulders with the best in the competition.
He added: “I am for the gold medal at the Nigeria Open because I am confident that I am capable and fit enough to cinch the top medal.
“I don’t care who I will be facing but with the intensity of the training I am under-going and my natural strength, I am sure.
“I can overcome any opponent that comes my way at the Nigeria Open as the gold is mine.
“I want to be a great and achieving athlete. This is why I work very hard in training everyday and put in everything – my body, mind, and spirit.
“I face challenges like injuries, lack of finances but I don’t allow it to distract me from achieving my goal of becoming a great athlete.”
