Winning gold for Nigeria means everything to me, African champion Usman

Harun Usman, the newly crowned African Taekwondo champion, described his victory as the culmination of years of sacrifice and self-belief. He emphasized that winning gold for Nigeria means everything, especially for Poomsae, a discipline he feels is often overlooked.

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Winning gold for Nigeria means everything to me.

Usman, who also received the MVP award at the African Taekwondo Championships in Mali, shared his journey from starting taekwondo in school for fitness and self-defense to becoming the continent's top Poomsae athlete. He credits his parents' unwavering support for giving him a solid foundation to pursue his passion.

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This gold is not just my personal victory. It is a victory for Poomsae in Nigerian taekwondo and a symbol of hope for every young athlete who dreams of becoming a champion.

Despite facing financial challenges and having to self-fund his competitions, Usman remained dedicated. He recalled a moment early in his career when a poor sparring session almost made him quit, but his passion quickly rekindled his determination. "When you love something that deeply, the challenges do not feel like obstacles. They become part of the journey," he stated.

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If my journey inspires even one young Nigerian to believe that this path is possible, then I fully embrace the responsibility of being a role model.

Now an African champion, Usman sees his win as a victory for Poomsae in Nigerian taekwondo and a symbol of hope. He embraces the responsibility of being a role model, aiming to inspire young Nigerians to believe that achieving championship status in less-recognized disciplines is possible. "This gold is not just my personal victory," he said.

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It signifies that sacrifice is never wasted. I have self-funded championships and organised fundraisers just to compete internationally. There were moments when the system did not show up for me, but I showed up for Nigeria anyway.