SPORTS: As the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham comes to an end, President Muhammadu Buhari has showered praises on athletes who represented Nigeria in the competition.
Basic Facts
- The 22nd Commonwealth Games edition has officially come to an end in the city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
- Nigerian athletes at the games harvested a total of 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze medals in honour of the country
- President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his joy and have honoured the athletes for the achievements
What we know
President Muhammadu Buhari was said to have watched some of the vibrant and magnificent moments of the 11-day competition, from the comfort of the villa, while the Nigerian athletes did the country proud in faraway United Kingdom.
The game featured no less than 5,000 athletes from 72 nationalities and territories participating in 280 medal events, with millions of other sports-loving Nigerians.
With 35 medals, including 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze harvested the President thanked the shining stars of Nigeria for competing among the best in the world and displaying the God-given attributes of the real Nigerian- never give up, striving to the end.
According to the President, it is noteworthy that majority of the medals so far, including 12 gold for the country, were championed by our talented young women and girls, including multi medalist Tobi Amusan (100m Women’s Hurdle and 4x100m Relay), Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Grace Nwokocha (4x100m Relay); Miesinnei Mercy Genesis (50 kg), Blessing Oborududu (57 kg) and Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg) in Women’s Freestyle wrestling; as well as Adijat Adenike Olarinoye (55kg) and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal (59kg) in Women’s weightlifting.
Notable Quotes
The president said:
‘‘We are proud of these achievements and the memories will linger with the nation forever and for me this is a special moment and a fitting parting gift, being my last Commonwealth Games as Head of State.”
Takeaway
Nigerian gold medals were won by the female athletes beating their male counterparts completely. The medal count, and especially 12 gold medal tally was Nigeria’s overall best record since the beginning of the game.
Saluting the noteworthy performance of Team Nigeria athletes, the President praised the 94 deserving ambassadors who represented Nigeria in nine sporting events. He also praised them for the thrilling moments when medal winners made Nigerians smile with their record breaking fits.
The President praised the coaching staff and team officials for their dedication to the growth of sports in the nation and assured them that history would remember them for everything they had done to help our athletes succeed on a global scale.
Catch-up
The following is the gold medal table and competition events:
Tobi Amusan — Women’s 100m hurdles
Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Grace Nwokocha, Joy Udo-Gabriel — Women’s 4 x 100m relay
Ese Brume — Women’s long jump
Odunayo Adekuoroye — Wrestling women’s freestyle 57 kg
Blessing Oborududu — Wrestling women’s freestyle 68 kg
Genesis Miesinnei Mercy — Wrestling women’s freestyle 50 kg
Adijat Olarinoye — Weightlifting women’s 55kg
Rafiatu Lawal — Weightlifting women’s 59kg
Alice Oluwafemiayo — Para-powerlifting women’s heavyweight
Chioma Onyekwere — Women’s discus throw
Goodness Nwachukwu — Women’s discus throw F42-44/61-64
Eucharia Iyiazi — Women’s F55-57 shot put
The following is the silver medal table and competition events:
Favour Ofili — Women’s 200m
Elizabeth Oshoba — Women’s featherweight boxing
Ikechukwu Obichukwu — Para-powerlifting men’s heavyweight
Bose Omolayo — Para-powerlifting women’s heavyweight
Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi — Para-table tennis women’s singles classes 3-5
Nasiru Sule — Para-table tennis men’s singles classes 3-5
Taiwo Liadi — Weightlifting women’s 76kg
Hannah Reuben — Wrestling women’s freestyle 76kg
Ebikewenimo Welson — Wrestling men’s freestyle 57kg
The following is the bronze medal table and competition events:
Udodi Onwuzurike, Seye Ogunlewe, Favour Ashe, Alaba Akintola, Raymond Ekevwo — Men’s 4 x 100m relay
Ugochi Constance Alam — Women’s F55-57 shot put
Obiageri Amaechi — Women’s discus throw
Ifeanyi Onyekwere — Men’s super heavyweight boxing
Jacinta Umunnake — Women’s middleweight boxing
Cynthia Ogunsemilore — Women’s lightweight boxing
Innocent Nnamdi — Para-powerlifting men’s lightweight
Isau Ogunkunle — Para-table tennis men’s singles classes 3-5
Faith Obazuaye — Para-table tennis women’s singles classes 6-10
Mary Taiwo Osijo — Weightlifting women’s 87kg
Islamiyat Yusuf — Weightlifting women’s 64kg
Edidiong Umoafia — Weightlifting men’s 67kg
Ogbonna John — Wrestling men’s freestyle 74kg
Esther Kolawole — Wrestling women’s freestyle 62kg
