Team Nigeria wrestlers on Sunday in Ghana were the cynosure of all eyes as they strolled to five gold medals in the games. Mercy Genesis set the tone for the night by winning the first gold for the country.
Ogunsanya Christiana fighting in the 53kg wins the second gold medal followed by Esther Kolawole while Blessings Oborodudu added one to the medal haul.
Earlier in the day, before the gold rush in the wrestling event, Opeoluwa Opeyori won the first gold medal in the badminton event for Nigeria beating compatriot, Godwin Olofua 23/21, 17/21, 15/21in the Men’s Singles finals.
With the result, Nigeria scooped the gold, silver, by Godwin Olofua and bronze by semi-finalist, Ikechukwu Victor.
With the efforts of the badminton players Nigeria won a combined laurel of six medals comprising of a gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
The other silver medal is from the men’s doubles effort by Opeyori and Olofua who lost their final match 6/21, 15/21 to Algeria’s duo of T. Mammeri and V. Mammeri.
In addition to the bronze medal won by Victor Ikechukwu in the Men’s Singles, Dorcas Adesokan in Women’s Singles also combined with Sofiat Obanishola to win another bronze in the Women’s Doubles.
Meanwhile, Nigerian athletes participating in the 13th edition of the African Games taking place in Ghana will go home with $3,000, about N3.5m should they win gold in any of the events.
This was confirmed on Saturday during a meeting with the athletes in Accra, where the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh stated this.
Silver medalists will get $2,000, while bronze medalists will get $1,000 but this does not include other camp allowances which athletes will be entitled to.
The development seems to have ignited passion for victory amongst the athletes as news of team Nigeria reaching semi-final and finals in several events have filled the air as at the time of filling this report.
