Coach Tips Chukwumerijie For Taekwondo Medal

A Wushi Karate Coach, Supol Martins Gabriel has tipped Team Nigeria captain to the London 2012 Olympic Games, Chika Chukwumerijie to win a medal in the taekwondo event.

Gabriel stated that the Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in the +80 category can surpass his previous achievement provided he keeps his head cool and remain focused.

He added that so much pressure should not be on him as it may have an adverse effect on his performance. The coach said: “The athlete should not be put under any undue pressure, it is the same pressure that weighed Blessing Okagbare down and that’s what we got as she fell in the 100m final, it’s a lesson for Chukwumerije to learn from”.

Gabriel, who runs a Karate academy, posited that the athlete, Algiers 2007 All Africa Games gold medalist, may have what it takes to win a medal, but called on the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC to be at the venue of the event to forestall any act of cheating.

According to him: “We have been experiencing so many criticisms from some countries, that’s why I’m imploring the NOC and relevant authorities to rally round the athlete to ensure he’s not victimized or cheated by the officials”.

However, the coach charged the Karate Federation of Nigeria, to go an extra mile by developing the combat sport in the country, noting that Nigeria has more to gain if karate is taken to the primary schools across the federation.

—ADEBOBOLA ALAWODE