By: Eugene Upah
Elizabeth Anyanacho, the reigning African number one in the Women’s -67kg category, has secured a historic bronze medal for Nigeria at the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China, ending the nation’s two-decade-long wait for a medal at the global event.
Anyanacho’s monumental achievement is the first World Taekwondo Championship medal for Nigeria in 20 years, signaling a significant resurgence for the country on the international sporting stage.
The Nigerian athlete delivered a commanding performance in the women’s -67kg category, particularly in the quarter-final match against Uzbekistan’s Sobibronova O. Anyanacho triumphed in two fiercely contested rounds with scores of 8–6 and 10–9, respectively, to book her well-deserved spot in the semi-finals and guarantee a medal.
This success comes amid a period of renewed focus and optimism in Nigeria’s sports administration, following the recent elections of new sports federation leaders, including Tayo Popoola, the new president of the Nigerian Taekwondo Federation.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, was quick to commend Anyanacho for her grit and excellence. He hailed the victory as a “powerful statement of Nigeria’s resurgence in global sports.”
“Elizabeth Anyanacho has reminded the world that Nigeria’s sporting spirit remains unbreakable,” Hon. Olopade stated. “Her performance in China is not just a personal triumph but a national victory that reflects the results of our 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.”
Anyanacho’s bronze adds Taekwondo to a growing list of sports—including cricket, basketball, arm wrestling, badminton, and swimming—in which Nigeria has excelled in international championships this year.
