Karate fighters at the ongoing NUGA games
The Karate contests at the ongoing 27th Nigerian University Games (NUGA) took centre stage at the University of Jos on Wednesday, with athletes displaying skill and discipline on the tatami.
Coordinator of the NUGA Karate Games, Dave Jegede, told Campulse News that the female individual events — including Kata, Team Kata, and the Kumite categories of –50kg, –55kg, –61kg, –68kg, and +68kg — have been concluded, leaving only the team events.
Dave Jegede, NUGA Karate Coordinator
“The women’s categories have been wrapped up, and we now move to the men’s divisions — –67kg and –84kg,” Jegede said.
In the female +68kg Kumite, Prince Abubakar University captured the gold medal, while University of Jos (UNIJOS) won in the –68kg category.
The men’s –84kg Kumite final saw University of Benin (UNIBEN) fighter Phillip Osamudiman triumph after a tense encounter.
Speaking to Campulse News after his bout, Osamudiman said:
“The fight was not supposed to be that tough. I could have done better if not for the pressure. I give God the glory for my first win and pray to keep improving.”
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Akwandaye of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) expressed optimism about his future chances, saying he would return stronger in the next NUGA edition.
The Karate matches, which began yesterday, continue today with the Team Kumite events for both the female and male categories.
