Nigerian skeleton racer Simidele Adeagbo has expressed renewed optimism after making a competitive return to the Bobsleigh World Cup, finishing 18th at the 2025/26 Altenberg event in Germany.
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Adeagbo placed 18th out of 20 competitors with a combined time of 2:01.26, ending the race 2.29 seconds behind winner Kaillie Humphries of the United States.
Despite the modest finish, the outing marked a significant milestone for the trailblazing athlete, who is returning to elite competition following a serious medical setback in 2024.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Adeagbo reflected on her journey back to the World Cup circuit, describing her comeback as a testament to resilience and determination.
“As 2026 begins, I’m reflecting on the road that brought me here,” she wrote. “From a medical setback to the World Cup, every broken barrier was worth it. This year is about showing the world the limitless potential of African women. The best is yet to come.”
Her message was accompanied by an inspirational video montage capturing moments from her recovery, training sessions and eventual return to international competition, highlighting both the physical and mental demands of the sport.
Adeagbo transitioned from track and field to skeleton and monobob racing in 2017 and has since etched her name in history.
She became Nigeria and Africa’s first female skeleton athlete and went on to make her Olympic debut at the 2018 Winter Games, where she finished 20th to become the first Black female Olympian in the sport.
In 2022, she achieved another historic feat by becoming the first African to win an international sled race after claiming the women’s monobob EuroCup title in Germany.
The Altenberg World Cup also marked a strong return for Olympic champion Humphries, who secured her first monobob World Cup victory in three years.
Australia’s Bree Walker finished second, while Germany’s Laura Nolte, the reigning 2023/24 world champion, completed the podium.
Adeagbo’s performance in Germany represents another step in her build-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, where she hopes to continue pushing boundaries and inspiring a new generation of African athletes in winter sports.
