Three Nigerian boxers have secured their spots at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games following their victories in the Africa Olympic Boxing qualifiers’ final round held in Dakar, Senegal, this Friday.
Nigerian boxers excelled at the Africa Olympic Boxing qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, with eight boxers advancing to the quarter-finals, six to the semi-finals, and three to the final. All three boxers in the final won gold medals, securing Nigeria’s place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The journey to glory began with a monumental clash as Cynthia Ogunsemilore kicked off Nigeria’s gold medal haul at the Africa Olympic Boxing qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, with a dominant unanimous decision victory (5-0) over Algeria’s Khelif Hadjila in the Women’s 60kg category.
Joshua Omole continued from where Ogunsemilore left off when he entered the ring to face Ethiopia’s Leta Yadesa in the Men’s 57kg category. With unyielding determination, Omole secured a unanimous decision victory (5-0), earning himself the featherweight gold medal.
In a fitting finale, Adam Olaore fought with Algeria’s Houmri Mohamed in the Men’s 92kg category. Despite a fierce contest, Olaore’s unwavering resolve led him to a hard-fought split decision victory (4-1), marking his second African Championship title. This achievement firmly establishes him as the third Nigerian boxer to earn a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In total, Team Nigerian got six medals at the tournament with three gold medals gotten by the winners in the finals and three bronze medals secured by Adeola Oyesiji in the flyweight, Nene Ojo in the featherweight, and Patricia Mbata in the middleweight.
Team Nigeria’s boxers were coached by two experienced professionals: Anthony Konyegwachie, who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics, and Adura Olalehin.
These boxers have fulfilled their Olympic dreams and qualified Nigeria for the Games for the first time since 2016. They now have the opportunity to win the country’s first boxing Olympic medals since 1996, when Duncan Dokiwari won a bronze medal in the super heavyweight division.