Three Nigerian Boxers Qualify for 2024 Olympic Games

Nigerian boxers to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal returned to the country at the weekend with three of the boxers booking their tickets to the Games following their gold medal exploits.

The gold medalists include; Cynthia Ogunsemilore Temitayo, Omole Dolapo Joshua and Olaore Olaitan Adams.

Fighting in the final of the women’s 60kg weight category, Cynthia Ogunsemilore defeated Algerian Kelif Hadjila via a 5-0 unanimous decision to claim the gold medal and a ticket to the Olympic Games while Omole Dolapo earned victory over Leta Fikremariyam from Ethiopia in their 57kg weight class bout with a 5-0 unanimous decision to pick the gold medal and the ticket to  Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Nigeria’s third gold medal came from the reigning African heavyweight champion, Olaore Olaitan Adams who out-punched  Algerian Houmri Mohammed with a 4-1 split decision in the final of the  men’s 92kg weight division. He also won the ticket to Paris 2024 in addition to the gold medal.

Three other Nigerian  female boxers, Oyesiji Adeola Omowunmi (flyweight) Ojo Nene Joy (featherweight) and Patricia Mbata (middleweight) accounted for the three bronze medals.

Nigeria went to the championship with nine boxers with coaches Tony Konyegwachie and USA-based Adura Olalehin handling their affairs.

Algeria topped the medals table with four gold medals to pick four Paris 2024 Olympic Games tickets while Nigeria placed second with three gold and three  bronze medals.

A total of 41 African countries took part in the week-long championship that lasted from September 9 to 15.