Imo, Abia Shine As South East Zonal Taekwondo Championship Ends

Imo and Abia have led the medals standing in the South East Taekwondo Championships, held at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri.
Olympic medalist, Chika Chukwumerije, who coordinated the event, said this while appraising the competition, in an interaction with newsmen in Owerri, yesterday.
No fewer than 74 athletes from four south-eastern states of Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi participated in the competition for top honours from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9.
Imo, the host state dominated the medals table with an impressive 41 medals comprising 13 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze, to emerge the overall winner.
Abia followed as first runners-up with 28 medals (12 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze).
Ebonyi and Enugu finished with 8 medals (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) and 4 medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) respectively.
Chukwumerije emphasised the importance of such regional engagement in building a strong sports foundation for national and international competitions.
He said that the next edition of the south east regional taekwondo championship has been scheduled between Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, 2026, in Umuahia, Abia.
“I’m thrilled to see the stakeholders come together for grassroots development.
“Our youths deserve this exposure; it’s how we build champions, one brick at a time,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Obinna Onyeocha, the Imo Commissioner for Sports, lauded the organisers for staging what he described as “a platform for nurturing future” champions.
“I applaud this event that promotes grassroots development and gives our youths exposure.
“It should be sustained so that, in the coming years, it can produce national and international champions who will bring pride to the region and the state,” he said.