Team Nigeria boosted their medal haul on Wednesday night at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh after securing two exceptional Gold medals in Wrestling and the Women’s 4x100m relay.
In the 53kg freestyle wrestling final, Christiana Ogunsanya delivered one of the competition’s most dominant performances, overpowering Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova 11–1 to claim Gold in emphatic fashion.
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Moments later, Nigeria’s young and vibrant relay quartet of Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia produced a flawless display to win the Women’s 4x100m relay Gold, clocking 44.27 seconds. Bahrain settled for silver in 44.47s, while The Gambia took bronze in 45.05s.
Nigeria added two silver medals and three bronze medals to its tally on a productive day across athletics and wrestling.
In the field events, Kure Samuel Adams secured bronze in the men’s javelin. On the track, Badmus Atanda clinched bronze in the men’s 400m, while Patience Okon-George powered to silver in the women’s 400m behind Bahrain.
Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m team of John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo, and James Taiwo Emmanuel also bagged bronze.
In Wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis settled for silver in the women’s 50kg final after losing 5–1 to Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva.
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, who witnessed the wrestling finals live, applauded the athletes for their spirit, discipline, and resilience.
“I am truly proud of both of you. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria will continue to expose its athletes to top international competitions for podium success,” he said.
“Your performance here means a lot to us, and the NSC under Mallam Shehu Dikko is committed to sustaining the feel-good factor that sports brings to our nation.”
With more events ahead in para athletics and para powerlifting, Team Nigeria’s medal surge is expected to continue. The country now stands at 8 Gold, 10 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals.
