The taekwondo team departed Nigeria at weekend for Germany to finalize preparation for next month's Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, local media reported on Monday.

The three-man team has Chika Chukwumerije, Adamu Issah and national coach, Osita Egwin as members.

Twenty-five-year old Chukwumerije is African champion, having clinched gold medal at the last All Africa Games, which took place in Algeria.

The Mechanical Engineering graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) will be making his second appearance at the Olympic Games. He was at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, where he lost to Frenchman Pascal Gentil in the preliminary stage.

Isaah, who could not win a medal at the All Africa Games, confirmed his maiden appearance at the global multi-sports event at the African Olympic qualifiers in Tripoli, Libya. Chukwumerije will be fighting in the 80 kilograms category while Issah will compete in the 68 kilograms class. They are expected to join the Nigerian contingent in Beijing early next month for the opening ceremony.

Two Nigerians, who looked to secure tickets to the Games, Omoowa Omoregie and Amina Mustapha, failed to make it. The duo won medals at the All Africa Games but was edged out by North Africans.

It will be recalled that three athletes represented Nigeria at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in Greece - Chukwumerije, Princess Dudu and Martins Obiorah.

Over 128 athletes across the world will compete in eight weight classes in taekwondo.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2008)