African Games: Eight Gold Medals in a Single Day for Nigerian Boxers

At the African Games on Friday night, Nigerian boxers rained medals down upon themselves as their eight gold medals came via heavy hitting.

That evening at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, the boxers were unbeatable. Joy Ojo started the day’s action by defeating Selmouni Chahira of Algeria to win the 57kg women’s division. Following this, Dele Omole won the gold medal in the 57kg division, making it two for the nation of West Africa. He defeated Mozambique’s Sigauque Amando.

Patricia Mbata of Nigeria won the gold medal in the 75kg women’s division, defeating Molka Ben Mabrouk of Tunisia 4-0. In the men’s 92kg event, Olaitan Olaore eliminated Kevin Kuadjovi of Togo, adding further gold to Nigeria’s total.

However, that was not the entire day! In the women’s 60kg final, Rahma Mafouz Ibrahim of Egypt was defeated by Cynthia Ogunsemilore, while Blessing Oraekwe struck her way to victory in the 70kg division. She took home the award ahead of Mozambican Alcinda Lucas Dos Santos.

Jacinta Umunnakwe, however, won the women’s 81kg bout by outpunching Marie Joel Nwika of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To cap off an incredible evening for Nigeria, Ifeanyi Onyekwere defeated Yann Mike Mansogo, his opponent from Equatorial Guinea, in the men’s 92kg+ division.

Nigeria maintained its domination in athletics as the foursome of Omolara Omotosho-Ogunmakinju, Patience Okon-George, Brittany Ogunmokun, and Esther Elo Joseph won the women’s 4x400m. In Accra, the nation defended its 2019 championship.

Prosper Chinecherem Nnamdi won the men’s javelin competition with a throw of 82.80 meters, setting a new national record. Since 1991, that was the first time a guy from Nigeria has won gold in the javelin at the African Games.

With 22 medals overall, Nigeria was the most successful country in athletics. Eleven gold, six silver, and five bronze were in the nation.

On Saturday, the African Games come to a conclusion.