By Tony Ubani
The Taekwondo duo of Chika Chukwumerije and Isa Mohammed left the country yesterday for their Olympic training tour in South Korea,  promising to do their best to win medals at the London 2012 Olympics.

The two athletes and their Korean coach had a rare honour of meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo who represented President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at his investiture by the Nigeria Olympic committee in Abuja.

The Vice President embraced them and wished them well on their tour that would see them join other athletes at the Surrey Camp in London before the Olympics. Asked of his expectation, Chukwumerije said: “I know every Nigerian is expecting something from me at London 2012

“Such expectation is not just on me alone. It is on every Nigerian who has also qualified to represent the country at the summer Games. Same thing goes to Segun Toriola (table tennis) and Jonathan Akinyemi (canoe) who have already qualified.

Same for Blessing Okagbare, Damola (Osayomi) and Tosin Oke (track & field), I mean everybody in the Team Nigeria party to London.

“For anyone going to the Olympics,such expectations from compatriots are normal. People want nothing but the gold medal.

What I want to assure Nigerians is that I am going to give my best at the Olympics. I gave my best in Beijing. I gave my best in Athens. London will be no different. When you go to war you do not boast you are going to win it. It is not the wise thing to do at all.

What is necessary is to prepare well and prepare hard. Don’t also forget that my opponents are going to do same thing, too since this is the summit of the sport. What makes the difference is the extra efforts put in by the individuals,” he said.

The 2011 All Africa Games silver medalist is optimistic that the two-man team would do well in London following the engagement of Korean tactician, Fihwan Keum.

“It was a challenging year for me and some other athlete could have withdrawn from the game totally but my coach brought a new spirit and encouraged me,” he said.