Ivory Coast's Firmin Zokou (right) is among those competing in Agadir City ©WTF

Mali's Ismael Coulibaly and Ivory Coast's Firmin Zokou, two medal winners from last year's World Taekwondo Championships in Chelyabinsk, are leading names competing at the African Olympic Qualification Tournament starting in Agadir City, Morocco tomorrow.

Coulibaly claimed bronze in the non-Olympic under 74kg lightweight competition at the 2011 World Championships before repeating the feat in 2015.

He will compete in the heavier under 80kg event in the Moroccan city.

Zokou, meanwhile, dazzled his way to Chelyabinsk silver in the heavyweight category and is the leading entrant in the over 80kg event.

Eighty-four athletes spanning 29 countries are due to compete in the two-day event.

Sixteen spots in this summer's Olympics and Paralympics are up for grabs, with finalists in each of the four male and four female divisions gaining a berth.

Three African fighters already secured a spot on the World Taekwondo Federation's Olympic ranking lists for 2015.

Ismael Coulibaly of Mali will look to revive his World Championship form at the qualifier ©WTF
Ismael Coulibaly of Mali will look to revive his World Championship form at the qualifier ©WTF

These consist of another Ivorian in under 80kg fighter Cheick Cissé as well as Gabon's 2013 over 80kg world champion Anthony Obame.

Egypt's under 67kg fighter Hedaya Malak has also already gained a spot.

The African event follows last month's European Qualification event in Istanbul.

Oceania will hold its tournament in Papua New Guinea on February 27, while a Pan American event will be held in Aguascalientes, Mexico on March 10 and 11.

Asia will be the final continent to hold its qualifier, with action due to take place in Manila on April 16 and 17.