One of the top-rated Taekwondo Athletes from the United States, Sohwon Kim has successfully arrived Abuja, the Nation’s capital ahead of the first ever Nigeria Taekwondo International Open.
Kim touched down around 4pm on Monday at Nnamdi Azikiwe international Airport and was immediately taken to temporary abode within the city centre.
His Malian counterparts have also arrived Lagos on Monday evening and are expected to connect Abuja before hostilities take off inside the Velodrome corner of the Abuja National stadium.
The names of the eight-man contingent from Mali are still being awaited as at the time of compiling this report.
US-based Kim, one of the top 50-ranked taekwondo Athletes in the world didn’t waste time before he hit the sporting arena to have first outlook of the magnificent edifice that also incorporates a 60, 000 –capacity global standard stadium.
Kim who will fight in the -68kg when the global sporting event gets underway on Friday, then told Blueprint that his purpose of arriving early was to have first hand information and get use to the environment.
“I’m here for serious business. It’s my desire to emerge champion, that’s one of the reasons I came early is to get use to the environment. I will do my best to beat my opponents with God by my side.
“I just attended a Taekwondo championship before heading to Nigeria. Winning gold in Nigeria Open will help me to make the World championship team. The criteria in America is whoever accumulates the most G ranking points by March 31st will be at a world championship team member.”
More Athletes and Officials are still being expected between Tuesday and Thursday from 15 countries and virtually all states in Nigeria.
