Nigeria’s athletes participating in fight sports activities in Paris 2024
In continuation of PUNCH Sports activities Further’s countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games to be held from July 26 to August 11, PETER AKINBO profiles Nigeria’s athletes vying for honours in fight sports activities on the quadrennial sports activities fiesta
BOXING
Adam Olaore
Occasion: Boxing (heavyweight, 92 kg)
Primarily based within the UK and a college graduate, Olaore joined the Nigeria Boxing Workforce in 2023. He has received all of the bouts he fought for Nigeria, with the excellence of being the undisputed African heavyweight champion. Recognized for his intelligence, confidence, velocity, and sharp reflexes, Olaore is poised to make a big affect in Paris.
Cynthia Ogunsemilore
Occasion: Boxing (light-weight, 60 kg)
Ogunsemilore is a younger, promising world champion found via youth competitions. She made her mark on the elite degree by successful a bronze medal in her first look on the 2022 Commonwealth Video games in London.
Since then, she has continued to develop in expertise and keep an undefeated file. Her current achievements embody successful gold on the final All African Video games in Ghana.
WRESTLING
Blessing Oborududu
Occasion: Wrestling (68 kg)
Oborududu, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, secured her spot in Paris with a 2-0 pinfall victory over Uilau I. Tarkong of Palau. As a veteran Olympian, she brings a wealth of expertise to the Nigerian group.
Oborududu made historical past in Tokyo by successful Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic medal in wrestling. She is a 12-time African champion and has a number of gold medals from the African Video games and Commonwealth Video games. Her expertise and confirmed monitor file make her a powerful medal contender in Paris.
Odunayo Adekuoroye
Occasion: Wrestling (57 kg)
Adekuoroye, the reigning African champion, certified for Paris following her bronze medal win on the World Championships in Belgrade final 12 months. She can be seeking to enhance on her earlier Olympic performances.
This can be her third Olympic look, having competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Nicknamed “The Dancing Wrestler” for her celebratory strikes, Adekuoroye is a a number of Commonwealth Video games gold medalist. She has additionally received silver and bronze medals on the World Championships, making her considered one of Nigeria’s high medal prospects in Paris.
Hannah Reuben
Occasion: Wrestling (76 kg)
The World Army Champion secured her Olympic berth with a 6-0 victory over Amy Youin of Côte d’Ivoire. Reuben additionally received gold on the African Video games in Accra, Ghana.
She has been a dominant power in her weight class on the African continent, constantly performing nicely in regional competitions.
Reuben’s army background has instilled self-discipline and resilience in her strategy to wrestling, attributes that might show essential in her Olympic debut.
Esther Kolawole
Occasion: Wrestling (62 kg)
Kolawole certified for Paris after overcoming Angelina Rodrigues Miranda of Cape Verde with a 10-0 superiority win. She provides this achievement to her African Video games and African Championships triumphs.
A rising star in Nigerian wrestling, Kolawole has proven exceptional progress lately. Her technical expertise and aggressive type have made her a formidable opponent on the continental stage, and he or she’ll be seeking to make a powerful impression in her first Olympic look.
Ogunsanya Christianah
Occasion: Wrestling (53 kg)
The African Video games champion secured her Olympic berth by defeating Egypt’s Shaimaa Atef Barakat Mohamed with a 10-0 superiority win.
Ogunsanya has been making waves in African wrestling circles, pulling off explosive performances. Her gold medal on the African Video games underscored her potential, and he or she’ll be desperate to show herself on the worldwide stage in Paris. Her velocity and agility within the lighter-weight class make her an thrilling prospect for Nigeria.
Ashton Mutuwa
Occasion: Wrestling (125 kg)
The American-born wrestler, who just lately pledged allegiance to Nigeria, certified for Paris with a spirited 16-8 pinfall victory over South African Justin van Zyl. This can be Mutuwa’s first Olympic look.
His choice to signify Nigeria provides an attention-grabbing dimension to the group. Mutuwa’s expertise within the aggressive American wrestling scene may show priceless as he takes on the world’s greatest heavyweights. His uncooked energy and technical expertise make him a darkish horse within the heavyweight class.
TAEKWONDO
Elizabeth Anyanacho
Occasion: Taekwondo (67 kg)
Anyanacho can be Nigeria’s sole consultant in taekwondo on the Paris Olympics, making historical past as the primary Nigerian feminine taekwondo athlete to compete in two Olympic Video games. She secured her spot on the African Qualifying Event in Dakar, Senegal, the place she was drawn in opposition to Kenya’s Jully Musangi within the ladies’s -67kg, and he or she confirmed her class in opposition to her opponent with a dominant show that handed her the victory within the second spherical of the three-round contest. Anyanacho just lately received gold on the African Video games in Ghana and the Luxembourg Open and is decided to enhance on her efficiency from Tokyo 2020.