The 2025 South East Taekwondo Championship has ended in Owerri, the capital of Imo State with the host emerging tops and Abia God’s own State coming second.
Imo secured 41 medals including 13 Gold, 15 Silver and 13 Bronze medals, while Team Abia won a total of 29 medals including 12 gold, 15 silver and 2 bronze in the championship which was the 7th edition of the South East Taekwondo
The Championship which brought together 74 athletes from four south eastern states who battled for top honours at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Dan Anyiam stadium and held on 7th and 9th November 2025 saw Ebonyi went home with 8 medals including 4 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze while Enugu got 4 medals including 2 Gold, 1 SIlver and 1 bronze.
Speaking with Hanto Daily News, Coach Chinasa Okoji – Chief Coach Taekwondo Abia State who led 19 athletes in senior, junior, cadets and kiddies categories and other officials to the event, described the team’s outing as excellent while expressing confidence that they will perform better in the next edition slated hold in February 2026
” We sincerely appreciate our Governor Dr. Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Sir Nwobilor Ananaba and the Abia State Taekwondo Association led by Engr. Chika Chukwumerije for their massive support which propelled us greatly”.
The Coach disclosed plans are underway to launch a monthly Taekwondo programme in schools across the state with the aim of raising the interest of the sport among young people and identifying talents early from grassroots.
“These tournaments help to keep our athletes in top shape ahead of bigger championships such as the National Sports festivals and international championships, so we are grateful”.
Renowned Olympic bronze medalist and Chairman Abia State Taekwondo Association Engr. Chika Chukwumerije, who was making his return to the Taekwondo management scene after a four-year break, expressed delight seeing stakeholders rally together together to push the grassroots development agenda, pointing out that youths deserve the right exposure and investment.
Engr. Chukwumerije revealed plans to stage the competitions five times every year in all the five South Eastern Estates while also drawing plans for his long term idea for the sport and its athletes which he describes as ‘Taekwondo Sports Economy model’
“This is how to produce future champions, one brick at a time. Ad you know, I am looking forward to realising the ‘Taekwondo Sports Economy model’ initiative, which has to do with economic activities, opportunities, and value chains that can be created around the sport, beyond just training and competition”.
Engr. Chukwumerije maintained that, Taekwondo like football, basketball, or athletics has an economic ecosystem that can generate income, employment, and investment. For example, coaching and refereeing services, sportswear and equipment manufacturing/sales, event hosting and ticketing, media rights and sponsorships and so on.
Baring their minds, Abia’s Gold medalist in the Cadets -49kg, 12 year old Ikechukwu Chidiebere and 15-year-old Vivian Tobechukwu who won 2 gold also, expressed their delight and the impact on their development.
“It has been both exciting and memorable for us. This edition is different because we got much more attention, like anything we need to succeed was provided without us asking for it. Everything was well arranged and coordinated, we are thankful to our coach, our mentor Engr. Chika Chukwumerije and Abia State Government for the attention”.
The next South East Taekwondo Championship is scheduled to hold 20 – 21 February in Umuahia, Abia state.
