Three of Nigeria’s leading karatekas, Ujunwa Nwankwo, Efezino Akpotu and Prince Ocholi Ameh will carry the country’s banner at the forthcoming international championship in Madrid, Spain.
Sports247.ng gathered that Nwankwo, Akpotu and Armeh got the nod from Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) on the basis of their recent top performances in domestic competitions.
The trio will now represent Nigeria at the 2018 World Championship in Madrid, according to KFN secretary-general, Ahmed Abdullahi, who added that they were selected based on current form and ranking.
Abdullahi said Nigeria will expect good results from national champion Nwankwo (-68kg), team captain Akpotu (-75kg) and Ameh (+84kg) at the 24th World Karate Federation (WKF) event from this Saturday, November 3rd to 11th in Madrid, Spain.
While revealing that KFN technical director, Dave Jegede will lead the delegation, Abdullahi said the federation is sure the trio will return home with good results that would place Nigeria on the medals’ table.
Abdullahi recounted: “In 1996, Nigeria fielded one athlete, Segun Akinola at the World Championship in South Africa.
“In 2009, we also took one athlete, Maxwell Nwaboze to the World Championship in Japan.
“I am happy the country is fielding three athletes this time around.”
KFN technical director, Dave Jegede, however, revealed that athletes sponsored themselves to the championship.
Jegede said the federation is indebted to the world karate sanctioning body, which stopped them from attending international championships.
“We believe with the support of all and with the right motivation, our athletes will do the nation proud,” Jegede concluded.
