Nigeria’s Oyesade Olatoye has expressed mixed emotions after settling for the silver medal in the women’s Hammer Throw event at the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The U.S.-based thrower came agonisingly close to clinching gold but fell just short in what she admitted were “not too impressive” final attempts.
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Olatoye registered a distance of 63.34 metres, a mark that would have secured top spot on many other days, but she was edged out by Algeria’s Zahra Tatar, who claimed gold with a throw of 63.55 metres — only 21 centimetres ahead. Uzbekistan’s Norsijovona Zarinakhon completed the podium, taking bronze with a throw of 61.69 metres.
Reflecting on her performance, Olatoye maintained a positive outlook, insisting that the result will inspire her ahead of a major target next year.
“I am very happy for this competition and the exposure to be here, and it will definitely propel me for the Commonwealth Games,” she said. “I am aiming to finish on the podium after finishing fourth in Birmingham in 2022.”
Despite the narrow miss, the 2022 African champion says she remains excited about the upcoming season, even after what she described as a long and physically demanding year.
With the World Championships in Tokyo marking the climax of her season, competing in Riyadh during what is typically her off-season posed new challenges.
“Going away with a medal from here is still amazing despite not winning the ultimate prize,” she added. “It’s always a rare privilege and an honour for me to represent my country anytime.”
Olatoye’s silver pushes Nigeria’s overall medal tally at the Islamic Solidarity Games to 18 medals — comprising six gold, eight silver and four bronze — as the nation continues its charge for honours across athletics and other sporting disciplines.
Nigeria’s camp remains optimistic that more podium finishes will follow in the coming days, with several athletes still in contention for medals.
