Fans lament as Ogunsemilore fails dope test

Nigerian boxing fans have expressed shock and disappointment over lightweight boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore testing positive for a banned substance ahead of her opening fight at the Paris Olympics, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and African Games champion was provisionally suspended by the International Testing Agency on Saturday after testing positive for furosemide, a diuretic on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.

Reactions from fans on Instagram have been pouring in, with many expressing their devastation and concern over the state of Nigerian boxing.

WBO Africa champion Seun Wahab sympathised with Ogunsemilore, writing, “Oh my God, this is so bad. I feel sorry for her; maybe she never knew of the substances she used.”

Oyebode Odeniyi highlighted the need for better education as he wrote, “Our boxers need education on proper nutrition; it’s most likely she never even knew what she had taken to have tested positive for such.”

Fellow boxer Isaac Chukwudi simply described the news as “sad to hear,” while Tobiloba Chase called it “sad news for the Nigeria boxing federation.”

Some fans, like Usman, with the username @unknownsoja99, pointed to systemic issues within Nigerian sports.

“This signifies there is no standard medical team. If our fighters need urgent medical attention, only someone with medical knowledge can help the athletes avoid those substances,” Usman wrote.

“This Olympics is a show of genetic dominance. Nigeria cannot follow in combat sports due to a lack of sports labs and training facilities.”

Olabiya Olanrewaju directed his frustration at the Nigeria Boxing Federation, saying, “What’s up with our boxing board? Do you guys care about our growth in this country? How much do you examine boxers before disgracing them in public?

“Who is checking the intake of our boxers in camp? Who is checking them at home before presenting them out there? Shame on you all, big shame on you
guys.”