Nigeria’s Olatoye Oyesade has expressed disappointment after narrowly missing out on the gold medal in the Women’s Hammer Throw Final at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The reigning African champion had to settle for silver, losing first place to Algeria’s Zahra Tatar, who delivered stronger throws in the decisive moments of the competition.
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Oyesade admitted that her final attempts were “not impressive enough” to secure the top spot, acknowledging that she failed to hit her usual rhythm when it mattered most.
Her early throws kept her within striking distance of gold, but the Algerian capitalised late in the event to edge ahead.
Despite the heartbreak, the Nigerian thrower struck a determined tone, insisting that this silver medal will serve as a powerful motivator as she targets a podium finish at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
“Missing gold hurts, but this silver will push me to work harder,” she said confidently. “It will definitely propel my preparations for the Commonwealth Games.”
Oyesade, known for her consistency and power on the continental stage, highlighted the need to tighten her technique and sharpen her competitive edge ahead of the global event. She emphasised that the setback in Riyadh is only a temporary halt, not a reflection of her long-term prospects.
With Nigeria counting on her to deliver at a major championship next year, Oyesade says she is more motivated than ever to refine her performance and return stronger.
Her message is clear:
Silver may sting, but Glasgow is the real target — and she intends to climb the podium there.
