The Taekwondo event at the 2024 National Sports Festival, held in Ogun State, wrapped up in grand fashion at Babcock University, with Delta and Oyo States emerging as the top two states in the medal standings.
Both states showcased their martial arts dominance by amassing a total of 11 medals each, thrilling fans and affirming their positions as powerhouses in the sport.
Delta State claimed the top rank with an impressive haul of five gold medals, two silver, and four bronze. Delta’s fighters consistently outclassed their opponents across multiple categories, cementing their legacy at the festival as the haul also boosted them to first place on the overall medals table.
Oyo State, not to be outdone, matched Delta in total medals but settled for second place due to a slightly lower gold count.
The Pace Setter state athletes delivered an outstanding performance, clinching three gold medals, four silver, and four bronze. Their strong silver medal tally indicated close contests that could have swung in their favour on another day.
Osun State came in third, with three gold medals, one silver, and two bronze, totalling six medals. Their compact but impactful medal collection reflected a highly efficient campaign, as their fighters were lauded for their technical precision and tactical awareness.
Host state Ogun took fourth place on the table, bringing home a commendable total of 10 medals. Despite winning just two golds, the host team collected the highest number of silver medals (five), along with three bronze medals. Their performance delighted the home crowd and added excitement to the event’s atmosphere.
Bayelsa also made a strong showing with two golds, two silvers, and six bronze medals, tying Ogun with a total of 10.
Their bronze tally was the highest among all competing states, highlighting their depth in various Taekwondo divisions. Bayelsa’s consistency across categories has kept them in contention throughout the tournament before they were displaced by Delta on the overall medals table.
Rivers State secured sixth place with two gold medals. Though they earned no silver or bronze medals, their double-gold performance placed them ahead of many states with more total medals.
Edo State followed closely, finishing with one gold, three silver, and five bronze—an all-around strong performance with nine medals in total.
Lagos State finished in eighth place with one gold, one silver, and six bronze medals. Lagos fighters showcased resilience and potential. The high number of bronze medals underscored how competitive their matches were, often coming within striking distance of higher podium positions.
Nassarawa, Abia, and a host of other states also made their mark on the medals table. Nassarawa and Abia clinched a gold medal each, while Kano, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, and the FCT demonstrated potential with a collection of silver and bronze medals, though they missed out on gold.
At the bottom of the standings, Imo, Kaduna, and Kebbi each secured a solitary bronze medal. While their medal counts were modest, their presence on the scoreboard signalled the growing reach and inclusivity of taekwondo as a competitive sport across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
