Team Nigeria continued its impressive run at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh on Wednesday night, adding two more gold medals to its tally in wrestling and the women’s 4x100m relay.
According to a statement released on Thursday by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade, Christiana Ogunsanya dominated the 53kg freestyle wrestling final, defeating Uzbekistani Shokhida Akhmedova 11-1 to secure the top podium spot.
Later in the evening, Nigeria’s dynamic women’s 4x100m relay team, Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia, thrilled fans with a stellar performance, finishing first in 44.27 seconds. Bahrain took silver with 44.47 seconds, while Gambia claimed bronze in 45.05 seconds.
The Nigerian contingent also earned two silver and three bronze medals. In men’s javelin throw, Kure Adams captured bronze, and Badmus Atanda added another bronze in the men’s 400m. Patience George secured silver in the women’s 400m, finishing just behind her Bahraini rival, while the men’s 4x100m team of John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo, and James Emmanuel earned bronze.
In wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis fell in the women’s 50kg freestyle final, losing 5-1 to Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva to take silver.q
Bukola Olapade lauded the athletes’ performances and urged them to maintain focus ahead of upcoming global competitions.
“I am truly proud of both of you, and I want you to know that President Bola Tinubu will continue to expose Nigerian athletes to the best international competitions, both home and abroad, for podium success.
“Your performance here means a lot to us, and the NSC, under the chairmanship of Shehu Dikko, is determined to ensure Nigeria continues to enjoy the feel-good factor of sports,” he said.
With the latest victories, Team Nigeria’s medal count now stands at eight gold, 10 silver, and seven bronze, with further successes anticipated in para-athletics and para-powerlifting.
