Riyadh 2025: Team Nigeria wins gold in wrestling, athletics
Team Nigeria has increased its gold medal tally at the ongoing sixth Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh after winning two Gold medals in Wrestling and the women’s 4 x100m on Wednesday night.
This is according to a statement on Thursday by Kola Daniel, the special adviser to the director-general of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade.
In the 53kg freestyle Wrestling final, Christiana Ogunsanya defeated her Uzbekistani opponent, Shokhida Akhmedova, 11-1, in convincing fashion to claim the Gold medal.
Nigeria’s exciting young quartet of Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria and Nweke Cynthia later crowned the night with an excellent display to win Gold in the Women’s 4 x 100m final in a time of 44.27 seconds.
They were awarded the silver medal in 44.47s, while Gambia finished third in 45.05s.
Nigeria also won an additional two silver medals and three bronze medals.
In the men’s Javelin throw, Kure Adams won bronze, while in the Men’s 400m, Badmus Atanda claimed a bronze medal.
In the women’s 400m, Patience George also finished second behind her Bahraini opponent, while in the men’s 4x100m, the team of John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo and James Emmanuel brought the country home in 3rd.
In Wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis lost her Gold medal match in the Women’s 50kg freestyle final to Aktenge Keunimjaeva of Uzbekistan, 5-1, to clinch the silver medal.
Mr Olopade praised the girls’ performance and encouraged them to stay focused and disciplined ahead of other major international competitions.
“I am truly proud of both of you and just know that President Bola Ahmed 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.
Team Nigeria has now won a total of eight gold, 10 bronze and seven bronze medals, with more medals to come in para-athletics and para-powerlifting.
(NAN)
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