Team Nigeria Shine in Riyadh, Adds Two Gold Medals at Islamic Solidarity Games
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 21 — 11
Team Nigeria enjoyed a brilliant night at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, boosting its gold medal haul with standout victories in wrestling and the women’s 4x100m relay.
In the 53kg freestyle wrestling final, Christiana Ogunsanya delivered a dominant performance, overpowering Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova 11–1 to claim the gold medal. Her confident display set the tone for what became a memorable night for Nigeria.
The momentum continued on the track as Nigeria’s youthful relay squad of Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria and Nweke Cynthia sprinted to victory in the women’s 4x100m final. Their time of 44.27 seconds was enough to hold off Bahrain, who settled for silver in 44.47 seconds, while The Gambia clinched bronze in 45.05 seconds.
Nigeria’s medal surge didn’t stop there. The country picked up two more silver medals and three bronze medals across athletics and wrestling.
In the men’s javelin throw, Kure Samuel Adams earned bronze, while Badmus Atanda added another bronze in the men’s 400m. Veteran quarter-miler Patience Okon George secured silver in the women’s 400m, finishing behind her Bahraini rival. The men’s 4x100m team John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo and James Taiwo Emmanuel, also delivered a solid performance to take bronze.
In wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis fought hard in the women’s 50kg freestyle final but was defeated 5–1 by Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva, earning a silver medal for Nigeria.
