Nigerian Taekwondo athlete, Elizabeth Anyanacho picked up the tickets for 2024 Paris Olympics, as she became the first lady to achieve the feat for Nigeria.
Elizabeth Anyanacho created history as she became the first female athlete to qualify for the Olympic Games back to back for Nigeria.
The 2019 African Games bronze medallist defeated Jully Musangi (Kenya) in the two rounds of the -67kg at the 2024 African Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dakar, Senegal.
Reacting to her qualification, the President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, Abdullahi Saidu praised Elizabeth Anyanacho for securing the country’s sole ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics in France.
Saidu while speaking with aclsport, disclosed that Anyanacho fought like a champion on the mat adding that the experience gathered in the last three years has helped improve her fight.
He said, “Despite other athletes missing out in the automatic qualification race for Paris 2024, Anyanacho fought like the champion and made it to the final.
“I am happy that Elizabeth Anyanacho has improved drastically; it shows that her training and sacrifices are paying off. She has been away after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic training in Germany; they have all the facilities to put athletes in top shape.
He said, “Ofcourse we were disappointed we did not qualify more athletes for the Games. I had wanted the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation to present more athletes at the Olympic Games which would have been an added advantage for the Federation”.
Saidu concluded his interview with aclsport by revealing the federation’s next target will be to focus on the African Games, promising that the athletes will ensure they make the nation proud.
