Nigeria’s Elizabeth Anyanacho has made history by winning a bronze medal at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China, ending the country’s 20-year medal drought at the global competition.
Anyanacho, ranked Africa’s number one in the -67kg category, showcased exceptional skill and composure to defeat Uzbekistan’s Sobibronova Ozoda in two tightly contested rounds, winning 8–6 and 10–9 to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Her performance marks a remarkable comeback for Nigeria on the global taekwondo stage and reflects the renewed optimism surrounding the country’s sporting sector under the new leadership of the Nigerian Taekwondo Federation, headed by Tayo Popoola.
Reacting to the achievement, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, praised the 26-year-old for her determination and excellence, describing the medal as a “powerful symbol of Nigeria’s sporting resurgence.”
“Elizabeth Anyanacho has reminded the world that Nigeria’s sporting spirit remains unbreakable. Her performance in China is not just a personal triumph but a national victory that reflects the impact of our renewed focus on athlete development and sports reforms,” Olopade said.
“This medal breaks a 20-year wait and signals a new era for Nigerian Taekwondo.”
Born on April 9, 1999, in Nsukka, Anyanacho has consistently shattered barriers in her career. She won bronze at the 2019 African Games, struck gold at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, and became the first Nigerian woman in 16 years to qualify for the Olympic Games when she competed at Tokyo 2020, following in the footsteps of Princess Dudu.
Her latest feat adds taekwondo to the growing list of sports where Nigeria has excelled in 2025, including cricket, basketball, arm wrestling, badminton, and swimming.
With this historic achievement, Anyanacho cements her status as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished athletes and a beacon of hope for the nation’s next generation of fighters
