Sports
2017 World Taekwondo Championships: Esuku Loses Opening Fight
Nigeria athlete Josephine Esuku has crashed out of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships (WTC) which began in Muju, South Korea on Saturday, after losing 6-15 to her opponent from Azerbaijan.
Tidesports source gathered that the number 24 seed, fighting in the women’s -46 kg category on the championships’ opening day, lost to Safiye Polat.
Taiwo Oriss, Secretary-General of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF), who accompanied the Nigerian team to the competition, told newsmen the team was still hopeful of winning medals at the championships.
“Though we lost in our first outing, but we are still hopeful of getting medals in the competition as other athletes from Nigeria are still going to participate,” he said.
Commenting also, Esuku said while it was unfortunate that the preliminary round bout was her only fight in the competition, it was still a worthwhile attempt.
“It was a good fight. I have however picked some lessons from that, which will be useful in my subsequent fights.
“The Korea Open is coming up next month and I hope to correct my mistakes through that competition,” she said.
Tidesports gathered that the Korea Open holds from July 2 to July 5.
Also, Chinazum Nwosu failed to hold her own on Tuesday, crashing out in the Round of 16 of her event at the 2017 WTF World Taekwondo Championships in Muju, South Korea.
Nwosu, who is ranked 46 by the World Taekwondo, the sport’s world body, lost 1-19 to the number three-ranked Tatiana Kudashova of Russia in the women’s -53 kg category.
Tidesports source gathered that the 22-year-old had earlier in the day advanced from the Round of 64 after her opponent, Mary Maina of Kenya, was disqualified.
She went on to beat the number 41-ranked Awa Ouattara of Cote D’Ivoire 4-3 in the Round of 32, before losing to Kudashova.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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