Taekwondo stars hail Tolubabami kids tournament as young talents shine at 4th edition
Taekwondo stars and parents who witnessed the 4th edition of the Tolubabami Open Taekwondo Championship have described the event as a masterclass in youth sports development.
The championship, held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, brought together young athletes from various schools in Lagos and Ogun States.
Hamsat Ibrahim, a Second Dan Black Belt holder with the World Taekwondo Federation, commended the high standard of organisation, particularly the quality of A-list referees who officiated the bouts.
The coach, who led her team from Great ‘A’ Genesis Academy in Ishashi, Ogun State, expressed delight as her protégés delivered strong performances, winning several medals.
A parent at the event said the display by the young athletes was inspiring and expressed confidence that the championship would prepare them for bigger competitions on the global stage.
Convener of the championship and Chief Instructor of Tolubabami Taekwondo Academy, Tolulope Shabi, said the event is designed to discover and nurture future stars who will represent Nigeria internationally while inculcating the core values of the sport.
“Taekwondo is a global sport and an official Olympic event. It offers numerous benefits including self-defence, improved stamina, confidence, flexibility, concentration, and the ability to handle stress,” Shabi said. “This championship is structured to help our young athletes reap all these benefits while building a solid foundation for future success.”
