Riyadh: Team Nigeria has concluded its participation at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, securing a Gold medal in the Mixed 4x400m relay with an outstanding performance. The Nigerian team, consisting of Gafari Badmus, Anita Itohan Enaruna, Ezekiel Asuquo, and Patience Okon George, achieved a season’s best time of 3:16:27s, outpacing competitors from Bahrain and Turkey.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, emphasized that Nigeria’s consistent medal achievements across various sports are not accidental. He noted that a strategic decision was made to bring only podium contenders to the Games, a move that has evidently been successful.
Olopade highlighted Nigeria’s medal wins in sports such as boxing, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Track and Field, stating that this strategy will be applied to future international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
In addition to the relay success, Nigeria claimed another
Gold in Wrestling with Esther Kolawole defeating Ruzanna Mammadova of Azerbaijan in the Women’s 62kg freestyle category. However, in the Women’s 76kg freestyle event, Nigeria’s Damola Ojo secured a silver medal after losing to Aiperi Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan.
Overall, Team Nigeria’s tally at the Games stands at 29 medals, comprising 10 Gold, 12 silver, and 7 bronze medals.