Student Athlete Spotlight: Florence Member's Journey From The Mat To The World Stage
For Florence Member, Taekwondo began as a childhood introduction from her elder brother and foundational coach, Richard Member. Years later, that introduction has developed into a career that has taken the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) student from local competitions to the Nigerian National Team, the FISU World University Games and the All Africa University Games.
Born on 26 March 2006 and from Bayelsa State, Florence is studying Hospitality and Tourism Management in the Department of Home Economics at LASUED, where she currently has a CGPA of 4.22 and currently in her final year. She is also a contract staff of the Bayelsa State Sports Council and an international athlete.
Today, Florence is a professional Taekwondo athlete, a member of the Nigerian National Team and ranked number one in her weight category in Nigeria. Her latest achievement came at the 12th All Africa University Games in Cairo, Egypt, where she represented LASUED and won gold in the women's 67kg Taekwondo event.
From A Family Legacy To A Personal Dream
Florence started practising Taekwondo as a child after her elder brother, Richard Member, introduced her and their younger brother to the sport and trained them.
Richard became her first coach and mentor, and Florence grew up wanting to become a champion like him. Even after he stopped competing, she decided to continue what he had started.
"I vowed to continue the legacy," she explained.
Her ambition has since grown beyond winning medals. Florence wants to take the Remember family name to the Olympic stage and establish herself internationally.
"The goal is to take the Member family name to the Olympics and to the international level," she said. "Next is the Olympics."
Learning Through Defeat
Florence's early journey was not defined by immediate victories.
Her first major competition was the 5th National Youth Games in Ilorin, where she competed in the women's 49kg category. It was her first major competition outside Bayelsa State. Although she had already won medals at championships within her state, competing against athletes from other states presented a new challenge.
She lost her opening major competition and admitted that the result affected her deeply.
"I actually cried for losing that day," she recalled. "I was hurt that I did not win a medal the first time representing my state."
Moving into the senior category brought another learning curve. She won her first senior bronze medal at the Bayelsa Open hosted in her home state, before competing at the National Sports Festival in Delta State, where she lost her first fight.
There was also a point when the challenges became difficult enough for Florence to consider giving up.
That changed when she met her present coach, Jesse Jonah, and her manager, Mrs Victoria Bedeteri. Their guidance and training helped her rebuild her confidence and continue developing as an athlete.
Florence credits them, alongside her foundational coach, for helping shape the athlete she is today.
The Gold Medal That Changed Her Confidence
One of the biggest turning points came at a female championship in Lagos State in 2023.
Competing in the women's 67kg category, Florence defeated the reigning champion of the weight category and won gold. She was also named Best Player.
That victory changed how she viewed herself as a competitor.
"I told myself that if I can beat a champion like her, then I can beat anyone," she said.
She has carried that mindset into her subsequent competitions, describing the victory as the gold medal that opened the door to the bigger stage.
Florence went on to compete at the 2025 National Sports Festival in Ogun State, where she won silver. In 2026, she competed at the National Trials in Ogun State, secured gold and earned selection into the Nigerian National Team. She also became number one in her category and is a two time Naija International Open medalist, with a silver and bronze among her international results.
Representing LASUED On The International Stage
Florence's university career has developed alongside her rise in national Taekwondo.
She represented LASUED at the 2024 All Africa University Games in Lagos, Nigeria, where she won a silver medal for the university. She also secured a bronze medal in Badminton at the Games.
In 2025, she represented LASUED at the FISU Trials in the University of Jos (UNIJOS), where she won gold and qualified for the FISU World University Games in Germany.
At the FISU World University Games, Florence competed in the women's 67kg category. She progressed to the third round before losing her fight by one point.
The experience came with its own challenges. She said the cold weather and food in Germany affected her preparation and performance, but the tournament still gave her a historic achievement.
Florence said she became the first Nigerian Taekwondo athlete to win a fight round at the FISU World University Games.
Gold In Cairo
Her next major university assignment took her to Cairo for the 12th All Africa University Games.
Competing for LASUED and Nigeria, Florence entered the women's 67kg Taekwondo event and emerged with the gold medal.
The victory was the result of years of training, setbacks, sacrifices and competition. For Florence, standing on top of the podium in Cairo represented more than another medal.
"It was not an easy task, but I am glad I was able to get to the top and win the gold medal for my school, LASUED, and Nigeria," she said.
She also reflected on the work that happens away from competition.
"I am glad I made them proud. I am also happy that all the hard work, sacrifices, and everything that happened behind the scenes paid off."
LASUED Supporting The Journey
Florence's progression from a developing student athlete to a national and continental champion has also been supported by the sports leadership at LASUED.
The university's Director of Sports, Dr. Jimmy Adeniyi K, and Deputy Director of Sports, Ms. Balogun Yetunde S, have played a role in supporting the university's sporting programme and the development of athletes such as Florence.
Her journey reflects the value of providing student athletes with opportunities to compete, develop and represent their institutions at national, continental and international levels.
From the young girl introduced to Taekwondo by her brother in Bayelsa State, to the LASUED student competing for Nigeria on the international stage, Florence Member's journey has been shaped by family, discipline, setbacks, mentorship and determination.
Now a national team athlete and African university champion, she has another target firmly in sight.
The Olympics.