By Akeem Lawal
THE sole representative of the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Elizabeth Anyanacho is already in Istanbul, Turkey where she will be participating at the Turkish Open, a Grade One rated competition sanctioned by World Taekwondo.
Anyanacho departed the shores of the country on Monday night for the competition billed to hold from March 10 to 16 in company of the Technical Director of the federation Chika Chukwumerije, who won Nigeria's only Olympic medal in the sport to date with a bronze at Beijing 2008 and her physiotherapist.
“Turkish Visa Given. Passport Collected. COVID-19 Test Taken. Negative Result. Tonight, we [@Yaga_Inspires and my physio] depart for Istanbul for Turkish Open!,” the 2019 African Games bronze medalist announced on her Twitter account earlier on Monday.
Anyanacho will be going to Tokyo as the first female Taekwondo to qualify for the Olympics since Athens 2004 Olympics and second ever Nigeria Taekwondo female practitioner, after Princess Dudu, to qualify for the Olympics.
The 21-year-old secured the historic berth in the women's under-67 kilograms division after defeating a five-time continental medalist, Urgence Mouega of Gabon, who was the former African Champion at the African Qualifiers held in Rabat, Morocco early last year.
Her participation at the Turkish Open will no doubt prepare her ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Meanwhile, organisers of the Turkish Open have announced details of coronavirus protocols for the event scheduled to take place in the senior, junior and cadet categories for both men and women behind closed doors at the Pullman Istanbul Hotel & Convention Center in Istanbul.
“All members of participating teams must stay in an official hotel, with a system being put in place to ensure anyone connected with the competition is isolated from members of the public also using the hotel.
“Protective masks that cover the nose and mouth are required to be worn in hotels, except when eating, on transport and at the venue, except when competing.
“All competitors are required to stay in their hotel room one day before competing, and athletes are required to stay in their rooms until their competition category starts.
“After this point competitors can, accompanied by their coach, enter the warm-up area no more than 25 minutes before their fight.
“Medal ceremonies are due to take place after fights are completed in each category and masks must be worn by both the athlete and those presenting medals.”
According to the organisers, other safety measures inside the arena include the disinfection of the tatami mat between categories and the disinfecting of helmets and body protectors after fights.
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