Three Nigerian boxers have qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after winning the African Olympic Boxing Qualifications final.

The qualifications final which took place in Dakar, Senegal on Friday, September 15, had nine Nigerian boxers in attendance coached by former Olympians, Anthony Konyegwachie and Adura Olalehin.

After the first set of rounds, eight of them advanced to the quarterfinals, six advanced to the semifinals, and three advanced to the final, where they all won gold medals by defeating their rivals.

In the Women’s 60kg division, Cynthia Ogunsemilore of Nigeria and Khelif Hadjila of Algeria engaged in heated combat. At the end of the bout, the Nigerian star won her opponent with an unexpected unanimous decision victory (5-0) and earned the first gold medal for Nigeria.

Joshua Omole picked up where Ogunsemilore left off in the Men’s 57kg class when he entered the ring to face Leta Yadesa of Ethiopia. Omole also won the featherweight gold medal by unanimous decision (5-0).

The Men’s 92kg competition featured a match between Adam Olaore and Houmri Mohamed of Algeria. Olaore demonstrated his tenacity by overcoming the opponent by a split decision (4-1) which earned him his second African championship and became the third Nigerian boxer to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

At the end of the African Olympic Boxing Qualifications tournament, Team Nigeria brought home a total of six medals, including three golds and three bronzes from Patricia Mbata in the middleweight category, Adeola Oyesiji in the flyweight category, and Nene Ojo in the featherweight category.

Athletes from China, Ethiopia, and Kenya who participated in the just concluded Lotus Bank/Abeokuta 10Km race held in the Ogun state capital on Saturday have commended the Ogun State Government for its investment on good road network.

The 10km race is an international event held annually by Nilayo Sports Management.

This year’s edition, according to the Project Manager, Seyi Johnson was held as part of activities marking the 80th birthday of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo.

The race, which commenced from the Onikolobo area of Abeokuta, saw over 2,000 local and international athletes passing through the Panseke, Ibara, Isale-Igbein, Sapon, Itoko, Arinlese en route Saje, Kugba, Adatan, Isale-Ake and terminated at the Alake’s palace in Ake as the finished line.

Kenyan Peter Mwaniki emerged winner, covering 28:33 seconds to cross the finish line.

Mwaniki won the $5,000 first-winner prize money, while Kennedy Kipyeko also from Kenya, won the $3,000 first runner-up prize money, and Abraham Akobeche from Kenya, came third with $1,000.

In an interview with Sports journalists, the international athletes expressed their delight at the quality of roads in Ogun State, saying it made the race much more easier and enjoyable.