Zara Lawal of Bowine international school on Saturday won the gold medal at the Smart Kiddies Taekwondo Championship (SMAKITAC).
The championship was held at Diamond International School, Lagos.
Lawal emerged as the gold medallist after winning all three rounds in the highly competitive event.
Ebuoluwa Ogunsanya of Potter’s schools and Olivia Abugu, won silver and bronze medals respectively .
Zara stood tall as the champion and displaying remarkable skill and unwavering composure throughout the tournament.
With a series of precise kicks, blocks, and punches she outmaneuvered her opponents earning top honors in the prestigious event.
Her impressive performance earned her the coveted title cementing her position as a rising star in tournament taekwondo champion.
In the poomsea female category, Salome Lehinger of Saint Savior School claimed gold, while Alaba Tipenioluwa of Porter School took silver.
Nifemi Mosuro of Bambini School and Daniela Udu of Children International School shared bronze.
In the poomsea male category, Antoine Gakhouri of Children International School won gold, while Imisioluwa Idowu of Redeemers School took silver. David Otitolaye of Potter’s schools and Kamar Akindunni claim bronze.
In fin category, David Afolabi of supreme school won gold, while Dunsin Fashola took silver. Jayden Dennis of St Savior School claim bronze.
In the heavy male category, Zare Appati of Bowine international school claimed gold, while Imisioluwa Amos of Redeemers foundation school taking silver.
Joshua Chialuka of Bambini School and Onyedika Obi won bronze respectively.
In the junior 123cm category, Karl Abi-Chahime claim gold, while Wareez Owoyemi of glowfield International School took silver. Olaoluwa Omole of Potter’s schools and Gibson Fubara won bronze.
In the Ti Tying category, Gabriel Borisade of Children International School won gold, while Aminu Ebitomo of treasure house School won silver.
Nina Bryma of Abba heart School and Ahmed Dantata of Diamond schools won bronze.
In the tigers category, Chimamanda Akwueze of St Savior claim gold, while Jaden Hassan of diamond school took silver. Mariam Usaine of Bambini School and Olayinka Jeremiah of Potter’s schools claim bronze.
In the pandan’s category, Williams Adebayo of Abba’s heart School won gold, while Chloe Nwankwo of Bowine international school took silver.
Demilade Ikeduwade of Redeemers School and Jayden Ezifile of diamond school claim bronze.
Speaking with NAN, Lawal expressed pride and delight in her achievement, saying, “I feel proud of winning and making my school proud.
“I feel happy and proud of myself that I was able to accomplish this.”
The budding athlete revealed that her passion for taekwondo and self-defence drove her to participate in the tournament.
She encouraged fellow contestants to stay resilient and keep pushing themselves, saying: “They should just keep on trying and pushing themselves and they will accomplish it.”
The South-South Zonal Representative for Taekwondo, Victoria Bedetere-David, has lauded the use of the Generation 2 electronic scoring system at the tournament.
She described the technology as a major boost to transparency and athlete confidence noting that it ensured fair judgment and reduced scoring disputes during bouts.
“The system enhanced real-time assessment of kicks and strikes giving referees accurate data to work with,” she said.