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

African Taekwondo champion Harun Usman shares his journey into taekwondo, becoming Africa’s top Poomsae athlete, overcoming financial struggles, his Olympic dream and more in this chat with PETER AKINBO

I started taekwondo in school to keep busy, stay fit, and learn self-defence. While many of my friends liked football, I was drawn to things that were different. Taekwondo gave me that special feeling. It is a martial art based on tradition, discipline, and hard work. What began as curiosity turned into a passion I can't live without.

I have been really lucky in this regard. My parents have supported almost everything I wanted to do, and taekwondo was no different. Their support at home helped me build a strong foundation to follow this path with confidence.

Honestly, my passion from the start made any difficulties seem small. I felt almost addicted from day one. After each training session, I could not wait for the next one before I even left the mat. When you love something that much, the challenges feel less like problems and more like part of the journey.

Only once, early in my career, did I feel down after a bad sparring session. But that feeling did not last long. By the next morning, I was excited to get back on the mat. That showed me how much taekwondo had already become a part of me.

Without a doubt, the biggest moment for me was becoming African champion and winning the MVP award at the African Taekwondo Championships in Mali. It is the result of years of hard work, self-funding, and chasing a dream that many people around me did not fully understand. I will always be proud of this moment.

Winning gold for Nigeria means everything to me. I compete in Poomsae, which involves performing precise taekwondo forms that need skill and creativity. This area of taekwondo has not received enough attention in Nigeria. This gold medal is not just my win. It is a victory for Poomsae in Nigerian taekwondo and a sign of hope for every young athlete who dreams of being a champion. If my journey inspires even one young Nigerian to believe in this path, I gladly accept the role of being a role model.

It shows that hard work is never wasted. I have funded my own trips and set up fundraisers just to compete internationally. There were times when the system did not support me, but I showed up for Nigeria anyway. Being African champion tells me that belief and hard work will always find a way. It also raises the standards I set for myself. This title comes with a duty to perform, inspire, and help improve Nigerian taekwondo.

It means representing something bigger than myself. Every time I step onto the mat for Nigeria, I feel the weight and honour of that duty. The African Championships is a big platform, and winning gold and being named MVP there is something I will carry with me forever.

Absolutely. The Olympics is the biggest stage for any athlete, and I am no different. It is a dream I work towards every day on the mat.

I want to become a world champion and use that platform to create a clear path for young Nigerians who want to be Poomsae champions. I want to show that Nigeria can compete and win at the highest levels of this sport. The next generation deserves to see that it is possible.

Funding and sponsorship are my biggest challenges. I paid for my trip to the African Championships in Rwanda in 2022. At another time, I had to set up a fundraiser just to take part in an international competition. Those experiences were humbling, but they made me stronger. I appreciate that the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation supported this championship in Mali, but bigger events like the World Championships later this year will be even more costly. I hope this gold medal and MVP award open doors to sponsorships so I can focus on competing and winning for Nigeria.

To be the best in the world and inspire the next generation. These two goals go hand in hand. Winning at the top level gives me a chance to reach back and help others achieve their dreams.

For now, I would say Rwanda. I always wanted to visit the country, and the African Championships gave me that chance. It is a beautiful, well-organised, and inspiring nation. Competing there was a memorable experience beyond just the sport.

I already have. Two of my younger sisters recently became national champions at the National Sports Festival. I have also set up several training camps where young athletes grew and went on to win championships themselves. Coaching is already a part of who I am. After everything I have learned and experienced in this sport, I find joy in passing that knowledge on to the next generation. That will always be part of my journey.