It was a night of triumph in Riyadh as Team Nigeria delivered a masterclass in speed and strength. The nation’s athletes stormed to two spectacular gold medals at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, dominating both the wrestling mat and the track on Wednesday.
This double victory has significantly boosted the country’s standing on the medal table. Consequently, the Team Nigeria Islamic Solidarity Games campaign has reignited hope, proving once again that the nation remains a continental sports powerhouse.
Christiana Ogunsanya Dominates Wrestling Mat
The evening began with a display of sheer power from Christiana Ogunsanya in the women’s 53kg freestyle wrestling final. Facing Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova, Ogunsanya wasted no time asserting her authority.
In a thrilling one-sided bout, she dismantled her opponent with a crushing 11-1 scoreline. Her technical superiority was evident from the opening whistle, ensuring the Nigerian anthem rang out loud and clear in the arena.
Golden Relay Quartet Blazes to Glory
If Ogunsanya provided the power, the women’s 4x100m relay team brought the speed. The quartet of Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia delivered a flawless performance to crown the night.
Their baton exchanges were slick, and their sprinting was blistering. Stopping the clock at 44.27 seconds, the Nigerian ladies left their rivals in the dust. They forced a strong Bahraini team into the silver medal position (44.47s), while Gambia trailed behind to take the bronze.
Medal Haul Swells with Silver and Bronze
The gold rush was supported by a gritty effort across other events. Team Nigeria dug deep to secure an additional two silver and three bronze medals.
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Silver Linings: Veteran Patience George put up a gallant fight to finish second in the women’s 400m. Meanwhile, wrestler Miesinnei Genesis battled hard in the 50kg final but settled for silver after a 5-1 loss.
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Bronze Heroes: The men’s 4x100m relay team grabbed a podium spot. Individual brilliance also came from Kure Adams (Javelin) and Badmus Atanda (400m), who both added bronze medals to the haul.
Official Praise and Current Standings
The incredible performance drew immediate praise from sports officials. Bukola Olapade, Director-General of the National Sports Commission, hailed the athletes’ discipline.
“I am truly proud of you. Your performance here means a lot to us. The National Sports Commission is determined to ensure Nigeria continues to enjoy the feel-good factor of sports,” Olapade stated.
With eight gold, 10 silver, and seven bronze medals now in the bag, the team is looking to finish strong. The focus now shifts to para-athletics and powerlifting in the coming days.
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