Interim Azania Omo-Agege, the president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, has commended the boxers for their impressive performance at the 13th African Games in Ghana. PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Out of 11 boxers led by coach Tony Konyegewachie, 10 achieved medals, with Nigeria securing a total of eight gold and two silver medals to become the overall winners in boxing for the third time, previously winning in 1973 in Lagos and 2003 in Abuja.
Omo-Agege mentioned that the athletes’ success was due to their hard work and commitment.
“I’m thrilled for these boxers because they deserve it. They worked really hard and have been duly rewarded,” Omo-Agege told our correspondent.
“I want to congratulate all of them for making me and the whole of Nigeria proud in Accra. This is the best performance ever, and I want them to be very happy and proud of what they have accomplished.”
Joy Ojo won the country’s first boxing gold of the night without even entering the ring. She claimed victory in the women’s 57kg category with a walkover against her Algerian opponent, Selmouni Chahira.
Dolapo Omole, who had been dominant on the way to the final, secured Nigeria’s second boxing gold at the African Games with a first-round knockout win over Mozambican Sigauque Armando Rugoberto.
UK-based Patricia Mbata demonstrated her skills in the women’s 75kg category to capture Nigeria’s third boxing gold at the Games. Mbata secured victory with a points decision win over Marbrouk Molka of Tunisia in the final, showcasing her talent and dedication to the sport.
Additionally, Adam Olaore, another UK-based boxer, delivered an amazing performance in the men’s 92kg category as he secured Nigeria’s fourth boxing gold with the second knockout of the evening.
Olaore achieved victory with a first-round knockout against Kuadjovi Kevin Prodence LK of Togo, solidifying his status as a three-time African heavyweight champion.
Zainab Adeshina settled for a silver medal after losing 4-1 on points to Algeria’s Roumaysa Boualam in the final of the Women’s 50kg bout. Both fighters entered the final with a pair of 5-0 points win, indicating their skill as both fighters dropped points for the first time in the tournament.
Kareem Shukura also received a silver medal as she lost the final of her Women’s 54kg bout 5-0 on points to Morocco’s Bertal Widad who put on a dominant performance. Cynthia Ogunsemilore then added Nigeria’s fifth gold medal of the night with a dominant display in the Women’s 60kg final. Ogunsemilore, who also qualified for the Paris Olympics, defeated Egypt’s Rahma Mohamed 5-0 to claim the gold medal.
Blessing Oraekwe, Jacinta Umunnakwe, and Ifeanyi Onyekwere, who fought late on Friday night, completed the gold sweep for the boxers by winning their respective fights in the 70kg, 81kg, and 92+kg categories.
By winning eight gold medals, Nigeria matched Kenya’s achievement of securing the same number of gold medals at the 1987 African Games in Nairobi. Nigeria also set a new record of 10 boxers qualifying for the finals of the African Games boxing tournament.
