Imo and Abia have led the medals standings in the Southeast Taekwondo Championships, held at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri.
Our correspondent reports that 74 athletes from four south-eastern states of Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi participated in the competition for top honours from November 7 to 9.
Imo, the host state dominated the medals table with an impressive 41 medals comprising 13 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze, to emerge overall winners.
Abia followed as first runner up closely with 28 medals (12 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze), while Ebonyi and Enugu finished with 8 medals (4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) and 4 medals (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) respectively.
Olympic medallist Chika Chukwumerije, marked his return to active Taekwondo management after a four-year break with the coordination of the event.
Chukwumerije emphasized the importance of such regional competitions in building strong sports foundations for national and international competitions.
He said that the next edition of the southeast regional taekwondo championship has been scheduled for February 20–21, 2026, in Umuahia, Abia.
“I’m thrilled to see stakeholders come together for grassroots development.
“ Our youths deserve this exposure—it’s how we build champions, one brick at a time,” Chukwumerije said.
Speaking, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, the Imo Commissioner for Sports, lauded the organizers 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.