Commonwealth gold medallist, Josephine Esuku has confirmed she plans to retire from Taekwondo after the 2023 African Games in Ghana.
Esuku won silver in the U40 Poomsae event and Bronze +17 women’s Poomsae freestyle event at the just concluded African Games.
The former African champion told www.aclsports.com that she will continue to make Nigeria proud whenever she is called upon by the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation.
The multiple national champion revealed that not winning a medal at the last edition of the African Games spurred her to give her best in Ghana.
She said, Nigerians should continue to expect the best from me in subsequent international championships. I have won a lot of laurels for Nigeria at several championships; although, I am considering retiring from taekwondo but if I am up, I will give my best.
“I feel very excited and I am extremely grateful to God. I wished I was able to win gold and fly Nigeria’s flag but nevertheless, I am happy to win silver and bronze medals.
“I did not win a medal at the 2019 African Games in Morocco and I was gutted. I was more determined this time to put my best and make the country proud”.
The multiple National Sports Festival gold medallist said, “It is time for me to focus on my six-month old baby. I have been away for three months (camping and African Game); I want her to feel my presence before I return to the mat”.