Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-03-19 06:15:55
Team Nigeria’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes are currently basking in the glory of their remarkable performance at the ongoing 13th African Games in Ghana. The team, consisting of nine fighters, competed in nine weight categories and managed to secure an impressive haul of five gold, three silver, and one bronze medals in the MMA category.
Among the standout performers were Muzan Richard, who clinched the gold medal in the men’s 120.5kg category by defeating Dago Fanny from Cote d’Ivoire. Eze Daniel (83.9kg), Busayo Idowu (52.2kg), Olanike Sodiq (61.2kg), and Joy Obanla (65.8kg) also emerged victorious in their respective weight classes, claiming gold medals. The silver medals were secured by Blessing Karo (61.2kg), Bernard Eweh (65.8kg), and Winifred Peter (47.6kg), while Albert Idowu (70.3kg) bagged the bronze medal.
The journey to the African Games was not an easy one for the MMA athletes, as they had to go through the rigorous MMA Championship organized by the Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame in February. Despite facing challenges and receiving minimal support for their preparation, the fighters remained resilient and determined to succeed. Their perseverance paid off as they triumphed over tough competition from other African countries such as Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Libya, and hosts Ghana.
During a reception held in their honor at Continental Hotel, Lagos, the athletes expressed their pride in representing Nigeria and vowed to continue raising the country’s profile in the MMA world. Gold medalist Joy Obanla attributed her success to the indomitable Nigerian spirit, while silver medalist Busayo Idowu shared her aspirations of becoming a world champion like Usman Kamaru.
The General Manager of Continental Group Nigeria, Karl Hala, commended the athletes for their outstanding performance and hailed them as role models for the youth of the nation. He emphasized the importance of sports and youth support in shaping a brighter future for Nigeria. Hala also expressed satisfaction with the partnership between Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame (HOF) and the Nigerian MMA athletes, hinting at a long and fruitful collaboration ahead.
Kehinde Soyannwo, the General Secretary of the Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame, highlighted the organization’s mission to elevate Nigeria as a powerhouse in both amateur and professional martial arts. He credited the national tournament held at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos for identifying and selecting a formidable national team to represent the country at international competitions like the African Games.
In conclusion, the achievements of Team Nigeria’s MMA athletes at the 13th African Games serve as a testament to their dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport. Their success not only brings honor to the country but also inspires future generations of martial artists to dream big and aim for excellence on the world stage.
