Africa’s number one female taekwondo fighter in the -67kg category, Elizabeth Anyanacho, has etched her name into history books after winning a bronze medal at the ongoing World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China.
Her remarkable feat and victory is a major comeback for Nigeria in the sport, ending a 20-year medal drought at the world level and Nigeria’s first at the global event in two decades.
Born on April 9, 1999, Anyanacho has consistently broken new ground for Nigerian taekwondo. She won bronze at the 2019 African Games, claimed the Nigeria Open title in Abuja, and became the first Nigerian woman in 16 years to qualify for the Olympics.
This qualified her to represent the nation at the Tokyo 2020 Games following in the footsteps of Princess Dudu. In 2024, she also clamed a gold medal at the African Games in Ghana.
Elizabeth Anyanacho Dominant in China
The 26-year-old delivered a spirited performance in the women’s -67kg division, defeating Uzbekistan’s Sobibronova Ozoda in two tightly contested rounds (8–6 and 10–9) to secure her place in the semi-finals and clinch the bronze medal.
Speaking after the contest, an elated Anyanacho expressed optimism about her career trajectory and Nigeria’s progress in the sport.
“I am very happy with my medal win. This record makes me excited for the future,” she said.
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, hailed Anyanacho’s achievement as a testament to Nigeria’s renewed commitment to sports excellence and athlete development.
“Elizabeth Anyanacho has reminded the world that Nigeria’s sporting spirit remains unbreakable,” Olopade said.
“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.”
He further praised the leadership of the Nigerian Taekwondo Federation (NTF) under its new president, Tayo Popoola, for creating a revitalized structure that is yielding visible results.
