Taekwondo: Medal hopeful; Chukwumerije knocked out by Cuban

Team Nigeria’s woes at the ongoing London Olympics continue with the ouster of its medal hopeful Chika Chukwumerije in the +80kg of the taekwondo event.
Beijing 2008 Olympics bronze medalist Chukwumerije lost narrowly by 1 point to Cuba’s Robelis Despaigne to send the Nigerian out of the event.
The fourth seeded Cuban 2011 Athlete of the Year was also a quarter finalist at the 2009 World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark and the Team Nigeria Captain Chukwumerije, before the clash remained unfazed, hoping to go beyond his achievement in the same event in the Beijing Games four years ago, here in London 2012.
Nigeria’s second qualifier, Adam Isah Mohammed, who was drawn against a Jordanian fighter, Abulibdeh Mohammad in the 68kg category battle was also flushed out of contention on Thursday.
The African champion’s hope for a medal now hangs in the balance which means he could be sneaked in to get a chance for a bronze medal fight if the Cuban reaches the final.