Nigerian taekwondo athlete Elizabeth Anyanacho has scripted history by winning a bronze medal at the ongoing World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China.
This achievement marks the country’s first World Taekwondo Championship medal in two decades, sparking renewed optimism within the Nigerian sports ecosystem.
Anyanacho, the reigning African champion, delivered a stellar performance in the women’s -67kg category, defeating Uzbekistan’s Sobibronova O. in two fiercely contested rounds — 8–6 and 10–9 — to book her place in the semi-finals. The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, commended Anyanacho for her resilience and excellence, describing the victory as a “powerful statement of Nigeria’s resurgence in global sports.”
Olopade noted that Anyanacho’s performance is not just a personal triumph but a national victory that reflects the results of the renewed focus on athlete development and sports federation reforms. “This medal breaks a 20-year wait and signals a new era for Nigerian Taekwondo. We are incredibly proud of her and of the leadership now steering the federation toward greater heights,” Olopade said.
This year’s achievements in various international championships, including cricket, basketball, arm wrestling, badminton, and swimming, have showcased Nigeria’s growing prowess in sports.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed pride in Anyanacho’s accomplishment, highlighting the impact of the renewed focus on sports development in the country.
