Olympic Combatants! Nigeria’s athletes taking part in combat sports in Paris 2024

Nigeria’s athletes taking part in combat sports in Paris 2024

In continuation of PUNCH Sports Extra’s countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to be held from July 26 to August 11, PETER AKINBO profiles Nigeria’s athletes vying for honours in combat sports at the quadrennial sports fiesta

BOXING

Adam Olaore

Event: Boxing (heavyweight, 92 kg)

Based in the UK and a university graduate, Olaore joined the Nigeria Boxing Team in 2023. He has won all the bouts he fought for Nigeria, with the distinction of being the undisputed African heavyweight champion. Known for his intelligence, confidence, speed, and sharp reflexes, Olaore is poised to make a significant impact in Paris.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore

Event: Boxing (lightweight, 60 kg)

Ogunsemilore is a young, promising world champion discovered through youth competitions. She made her mark at the elite level by winning a bronze medal in her first appearance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in London.

Since then, she has continued to grow in experience and maintain an undefeated record. Her recent achievements include winning gold at the last All African Games in Ghana.

WRESTLING

Blessing Oborududu

Event: 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 experience to the Nigerian team.

Oborududu made history in Tokyo by winning Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic medal in wrestling. She is a 12-time African champion and has multiple gold medals from the African Games and Commonwealth Games. Her experience and proven track record make her a strong medal contender in Paris.

Odunayo Adekuoroye

Event: Wrestling (57 kg)

Adekuoroye, the reigning African champion, qualified for Paris following her bronze medal win at the World Championships in Belgrade last year. She will be looking to improve on her previous Olympic performances.

This will be her third Olympic appearance, having competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Nicknamed “The Dancing Wrestler” for her celebratory moves, Adekuoroye is a multiple Commonwealth Games gold medalist. She has also won silver and bronze medals at the World Championships, making her one of Nigeria’s top medal prospects in Paris.

Hannah Reuben

Event: Wrestling (76 kg)

The World Military Champion secured her Olympic berth with a 6-0 victory over Amy Youin of Côte d’Ivoire. Reuben also won gold at the African Games in Accra, Ghana.

She has been a dominant force in her weight category on the African continent, consistently performing well in regional competitions.

Reuben’s military background has instilled discipline and resilience in her approach to wrestling, attributes that could prove crucial in her Olympic debut.

Esther Kolawole

Event: Wrestling (62 kg)

Kolawole qualified for Paris after overcoming Angelina Rodrigues Miranda of Cape Verde with a 10-0 superiority win. She adds this achievement to her African Games and African Championships triumphs.

A rising star in Nigerian wrestling, Kolawole has shown remarkable progress in recent years. Her technical skills and aggressive style have made her a formidable opponent on the continental stage, and she’ll be looking to make a strong impression in her first Olympic appearance.

Ogunsanya Christianah

Event: Wrestling (53 kg)

The African 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 at the African Games underscored her potential, and she’ll be eager to prove herself on the global stage in Paris. Her speed and agility in the lighter-weight class make her an exciting prospect for Nigeria.

Ashton Mutuwa

Event: Wrestling (125 kg)

The American-born wrestler, who recently pledged allegiance to Nigeria, qualified for Paris with a spirited 16-8 pinfall victory over South African Justin van Zyl. This will be Mutuwa’s first Olympic appearance.

His decision to represent Nigeria adds an interesting dimension to the team. Mutuwa’s experience in the competitive American wrestling scene could prove valuable as he takes on the world’s best heavyweights. His raw power and technical skills make him a dark horse in the heavyweight category.

TAEKWONDO

Elizabeth Anyanacho

Event: Taekwondo (67 kg)

Anyanacho will be Nigeria’s sole representative in taekwondo at the Paris Olympics, making history as the first Nigerian female taekwondo athlete to compete in two Olympic Games. She secured her spot at the African Qualifying Tournament in Dakar, Senegal, where she was drawn against Kenya’s Jully Musangi in the women’s -67kg, and she showed her class against her opponent with a dominant display that handed her the victory in the second round of the three-round contest. Anyanacho recently won gold at the African Games in Ghana and the Luxembourg Open and is determined to improve on her performance from Tokyo 2020.