Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Jide Alaka
Published on 2024-04-13 06:51:17
Nigeria’s 358 athletes had an impressive performance at the 13th African Games in Ghana, with women athletes showcasing outstanding victories. From Omolara Ogunmakinju’s sensational relay win to the wrestling team’s gold medal sweep, the women athletes were truly remarkable. This trend of Nigerian female athletes outshining their male counterparts in international competitions continues to be evident.
Out of Nigeria’s contingent, which had less than half as women, an astonishing 35 out of 47 gold medals were won by women. The 71 total medals won by Nigerian women athletes accounted for 58.67% of the country’s overall medal count at the games. This dominance by female athletes has been consistent not only at the African Games but also at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
At the 13th African Games, Omolara Ogunmakinju’s relay win and the Nigerian women wrestlers’ gold medals highlighted their exceptional performance. All six women wrestlers who competed in the games secured gold medals, showcasing their prowess in the sport. Oluwatobiloba Amusan, Nigeria’s track queen, added to the success by winning her third consecutive gold at the Games.
The success of Nigerian women in sports has not always been the case. While male athletes like boxer Nojim Maiyegun won Nigeria’s first Olympic Games medal in 1964, it was not until 1992 that Nigerian women athletes clinched their first medal at the Barcelona Games. Since the 2000 Olympics, female athletes have excelled, winning seven out of Nigeria’s 13 total Olympic medals.
The pattern was even more evident at the Commonwealth Games, where women won 35 out of the 48 gold medals for Team Nigeria in the last six editions. This dominance extends to other competitions like the 2024 African Games in weightlifting, where five out of six gold medals were won by women weightlifters.
Experts attribute the success of Nigerian women in sports to factors such as resilience, responsibility, and early advantage in pioneering some sports. While some believe that female athletes work harder and have fewer societal burdens to bear, others point to the historical edge Nigerian women have in certain sports.
Looking ahead, addressing the inequalities faced by women athletes could unlock even greater potential on the international stage. The recent success of Nigerian women athletes, including the Super Falcons’ qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, demonstrates the strength and promise of Nigerian women in sports. As efforts continue to support and empower women in sports, the future looks bright for Nigerian female athletes on the global stage.
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