Nigeria clinch seven medals at African Taekwondo Championship
The Nigerian Taekwondo team delivered a dominant performance at the 2026 African Taekwondo Championships in Bamako, Mali, showing resilience in both the Kyorugi (sparring) and Poomsae events.
The team which wowed fans at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga competing against over 35 countries, eventually secured a total of seven medals at the championship with three gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.
Nigeria’s medal charge was led by Ability Mathew Udom who won gold in the Para-Taekwondo (-57kg K44) category, earning the top ranking in Africa.
Rising talents Haruna Usman secured gold in the Poomsae U-40 Male category and Aderibigbe Faridah also claimed gold in the Freestyle Poomsae category
Both Aderibigbe Faridah and Salawudeen Abdulafeez earned silver in the Pair Poomsae event while Joel Jordan (+87kg Kyorugi), Chidinma Okoko (-62kg Kyorugi) and Salawudeen Abdulafeez (U-30 Male) all won bronze medals in their various events.
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Tayo Popoola, the President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, commended the team for its formidable performance while also noting the competitive nature of the championship.
Speaking from Bamako, he stated that athletes from across the continent displayed exceptional technical ability and fighting spirit.
“The event is still ongoing and we have recorded two bronze medals in Kyorugi through Jordan Joel in the heavyweight (+87kg) category and Chidinma Okoko in the (-62kg) division, while our gold medal came from Ability Matthews Udom in the (-57kg) Para event,” she said.
Popoola particularly commended Jordan Joel for his impressive performance at the continental championship.
”Jordan Joel, who is competing in his first African Championship, had to face several Olympic and World Championship medalists. For him to secure a bronze medal under such circumstances shows his tenacity, courage, and immense potential.”
