Sports
Zainab Saleh International Open: Women Karatekas Begin Challenge For Honours
Nigeria’s leading women karatekas, alongside several others from abroad, have assembled in Lagos for the fifth edition of the Zainab Saleh International Female Open Karate Championship which commence from today and expected to end Sunday.
The championship holding at the Teslim Balogun Stadium is the lone female-only karate tournament in West Africa, attracting players from across the region, as far as Benin, Togo and Ghana.
This time around, more than 100 players have registered for the championship, and they are now battle-ready and hopeful.
Aderonke Ogunsanwo, a Second Dan black belt who has won gold at all the four previous championships in the -50kg category, says she has worked hard to retain her title.
“I know everyone is coming to beat me in my category, but I have been working and I will be ready for them,” the national athlete said.
Uju Nwankwo, a black belt, said she was looking to improve on her records from last year.
“I won one silver medal and one bronze medal in 2017, but this year I am looking forward to winning gold in both the kata and kumite,” she said.
Top karate referee Rita Aina, a Fourth Dan black belt, said the championship being an important one on the calendar of karate practitioners in the country was too good to miss.
“It’s an event no female karateka in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole will want to miss,” Aina, a World Karate Federation judge, said.
“It has gone a long way in giving female karatekas a sense of belonging in the sport in Nigeria,” she added.
On her part, Zainab Saleh, the competition’s founder, said the competition was timely.
“As the karate sport is set to make its first appearance at the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020, more competitions are required.
“This is to ensure that practitioners in Nigeria find avenues to improve themselves ahead of the big event.
“For the female practitioners, a dearth of major competitions means they cannot adequately gauge their skills, and the Zainab Saleh International Open Female Karate Championship fills that gap,” she said.
Tidesports source reports that there will be competition in 32 categories of the sport at the Zainab Saleh International Open Female Karate Championship.
These include kata and kumite, from under-12 to seniors in different weight classes.
The championship will get underway on Friday with a seminar for those participating in the event, with competition commencing in the afternoon at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall.
On Saturday, the competition’s finals will hold, alongside the conclusion of the seminar for referees and instructors.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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