Riyadh 2025: Anyanacho Boosts Team Nigeria’s Medal Tally With Bronze

Elizabeth Anyanacho, has added to Team Nigeria’s medal tally at the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, beating Bahrain’s Sara Jallab 2-0 to clinched a bronze medal in the Women’s Under 70kg category, yesterday.

Ranked as Africa’s number one, Anyanacho faced a setback in the semifinals, losing to Iranian Yalda Valinejad 2-1. However, she made a strong comeback in the bronze medal match, demonstrating her skill and determination to clinch her fourth medal of the year across all competitions.

In an interview with LEADERSHIP Sports following her bronze medal victory, Anyanacho reflected on her semifinal loss, attributing it to mental weakness and expressing her commitment to learn from the experience.

“It was the medal I expected. I feel a bit sad because I wanted more, but overall, I give thanks to God for allowing me to win a medal for Nigeria,” she said. “Losing in the semifinals was very painful, and that’s why I had to stay focused in the third-place match to secure the bronze. I won’t blame anyone as it was more about my mindset. I don’t like to make excuses; I need to work on myself. Yes, I missed it narrowly again, but it’s something I need to improve,” Anyanacho added.

For Elizabeth, this victory represented more than just a win; it was the culmination of years of perseverance, hard work, and unwavering belief. While the crowd saw a bronze medalist, Africa recognised a symbol of determination and pride.

Born on 9 April 1999, this Nigerian talent has already made significant strides in her career, breaking barriers along the way. From winning bronze at the 2019 African Games to impressing audiences at the Nigeria Open in Abuja, Anyanacho is rewriting Nigeria’s Taekwondo narrative—one kick at a time.

With her triumph, Nigeria’s medal tally now stands at 15, comprising six gold, five silver, and four bronze.