Sports

Anyanacho Heads To Beirut For Last Event Before Tokyo Olympics

Published

4 years ago

June 17, 2021

Editor

Tokyo Olympics-bound Elizabeth Anyancho has departed for Lebanon to participated in the World Taekwondo G-2 ranked Beirut Open, scheduled to hold 19 – 21 June 2021 at the Stade Nouhad Naufal, in Beirut, Lebanon.

The ranked event is the last competitive event on the World Taekwondo calendar before the Olympic games kicks off next July.

22-year-old Elizabeth, who is travelling with her technical crew aboard Ethiopia airlines, will be competing in the female -67kg category.

Eleven fighters are registered to participate in the same category, including three other qualified athletes to Tokyo Olympics – former world champion, Ruth Gbagbi of Cote D’Ivoire, current African champion Hedaya Malak of Egypt and Julyana Al-Sadeq of Jordan.

Elizabeth has defeated the African Champion, Egypt’s Hedaya, at the semi-finals of the African Taekwondo Champs in Dakar a fortnight ago, before narrowly losing to the former world champion, Ruth Gbagbi in the finals of the same event.

Speaking before departure, Anyanacho promised to use the Beirut Open as the

“I have constantly improved over the past months as the Olympic got closer, and I am going to Beirut to execute the moves we have worked so hard on during training. The matches will be tough but I am ready for the challenge.”

Ranking earned at the Beirut open might include the draws that will take place at the Tokyo Olympics, given that 100% seeding will be deployed at the much-anticipated Games.

The event is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports as one of the preparatory events of Elizabeth Anyanacho, Nigeria’s first woman in 16 years to qualify for the Olympics in Taekwondo.

Share on Facebook

Sports

From Mavlon FC to Finland: The Rising Journey of James Samuel Friday

Published

4 hours ago

March 21, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

James Samuel Friday, a promising young goalkeeper from Nigeria, has recently made headlines following his transfer from Mavlon FC to SJK Seinäjoki II in Finland. Born on April 5, 2006, the 18-year-old shot-stopper is already making a name for himself with his impressive performances between the sticks.

Mavlon FC, a Nigerian club renowned for identifying and nurturing young talents, discovered Friday at just 12 years old in 2018. His early recruitment under the club’s “catch them young” policy underscores their confidence in his abilities. Over the years, his dedication and hard work have been instrumental in shaping his promising career.

During his time at Mavlon FC, Friday also gained valuable international exposure, participating in the prestigious 73rd and 74th Viareggio Youth Tournaments in Italy. His performances caught the attention of scouts and clubs beyond Nigeria’s borders.

On February 1, 2025, Friday officially joined SJK Seinäjoki II, a Finnish club where he aims to develop further and gain vital experience in a competitive European environment. Prior to this significant move, he was invited by English club Charlton Athletic for a training and development program in London, where he impressed the technical crew and management with his goalkeeping skills.

Internationally, Friday has already represented Nigeria at the U20 level. He made his debut on March 7, 2024, under coach Ladan Bosso, earning his first cap for the national team. Since then, he has remained committed to improving his game and proving himself on bigger stages.

In modern football, where goalkeepers are expected to contribute to team play beyond shot-stopping, Friday excels with his ball-playing abilities. His precise passing allows him to connect with teammates effectively, facilitating quick transitions from defense to attack. Standing tall at 1.95m, he commands his area with authority and provides a strong presence between the posts.

With his talent, work ethic, and the right environment at SJK Seinäjoki II, Friday is poised for a bright future in European football.

Share on Facebook