Injured Dolapo devastated by Olympic miss

Nigerian boxer Dolapo Omole has let out his anguish after a knee injury dashed his hopes of competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

“I’m depressed and hoping to rise again stronger because I’m bitterly down. The knee injury is so painful now; I wish myself a quick recovery,” Omole said in a statement from the African Boxing Confederation.

The two-time African featherweight champion revealed that the knee problem had plagued him since childhood but worsened during the African Games in Accra. Despite the setback, Omole vowed to soldier on and bounce back stronger.

Omole’s coach, Adura Olalehin, confirmed the boxer’s withdrawal from the Olympics to AFBC Communications, stating, “Due to a medical issue, Dolapo is not going to Paris.”

The Nigerian has been replaced by Ethiopian boxer Leta Fikremariyam Yadesa, whom Omole defeated in the final of the African Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dakar, Senegal, in September 2023.

With Omole’s withdrawal, Nigeria’s Olympic boxing team has been reduced to just two athletes: Cynthia Ogunsemilore in the women’s lightweight 60 kg category and Adams Olaore in the men’s heavyweight 92 kg division.

Nigeria has a rich history in Olympic boxing, having participated since 1964 and claiming six medals in total (three silver and three bronze). The country’s first-ever Olympic medal came from boxing in 1964 through Nojim Maiyegun, who won a bronze medal in light-middleweight in Tokyo.

Ogunsemilore, a promising young talent and All African Games gold medalist, and Olaore, an undisputed African heavyweight champion, will now carry Nigeria’s boxing hopes into Paris.

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