![ANYANACHO[1]](https://thebeaconng.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ANYANACHO1.jpg "Anyanacho Ends Nigeria’s 20-Year Wait With Historic Taekwondo Bronze in China 1")
Elizabeth Anyanacho has etched her name in the history books after winning a bronze medal at the World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China — Nigeria’s first medal at the global event in 20 years.
Competing in the women’s -67kg category, the 26-year-old displayed remarkable grit and composure, defeating Uzbekistan’s Sobibronova Ozoda in two tight rounds, 8–6 and 10–9, to secure a place in the semi-finals and ultimately clinch the bronze medal.
Her podium finish not only marks a personal milestone but also signals a resurgence for Nigerian taekwondo on the world stage. The victory comes at a time when the nation’s sporting sector is experiencing renewed momentum under a new wave of leadership across sports federations.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, praised Anyanacho’s performance, describing it as a reflection of Nigeria’s unyielding spirit and commitment to excellence. According to him, her success embodies the country’s growing focus on athlete development and structural reforms within the sports ecosystem.
“Elizabeth’s achievement is a symbol of Nigeria’s sporting revival. After two decades of waiting, this medal proves that our athletes can once again compete and triumph at the highest levels. She has inspired a new generation of fighters and reminded us of what dedication and perseverance can achieve,” he stated.
Born on April 9, 1999, in Nsukka, Anyanacho has consistently pushed the boundaries for Nigerian taekwondo. She previously captured bronze at the 2019 African Games, struck gold at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, and made history as the first Nigerian woman in 16 years to qualify for the Olympics when she represented the country in Tokyo 2020.
Her latest triumph adds taekwondo to Nigeria’s growing list of sports making international headlines this year, alongside basketball, cricket, arm wrestling, badminton, and swimming — a sign that the country’s athletes are once again making waves on the global scene.
