Riyadh 2025: Nigeria Strikes Gold in Wrestling and Women’s Relay

Team Nigeria added two more gold medals to its haul at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, following standout performances in wrestling and the women’s 4x100m relay on Wednesday night.

The National Sports Commission confirmed the latest victories in a statement released on Thursday by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser to the Director-General, Bukola Olapade.

In the women’s 53kg freestyle wrestling final, Christiana Ogunsanya dominated Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova with an emphatic 11–1 victory to secure Nigeria’s first gold of the night.

The women’s relay team later delivered another golden moment as Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia combined to win the 4x100m event in 44.27 seconds. They edged Bahrain, who clocked 44.47 seconds for silver, while Gambia came in third at 45.05 seconds.

Nigeria also added to its medal count with two silver and three bronze medals across athletics and wrestling.

• In the men’s javelin, Kure Adams picked up bronze.

• Badmus Atanda also clinched bronze in the men’s 400m.

• Patience George claimed silver in the women’s 400m.

• The men’s 4x100m team—John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo, and James Emmanuel—finished third.

• In wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis settled for silver after a 5–1 loss to Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva in the 50kg final.

Reacting to the latest results, Olapade applauded the athletes and encouraged them to maintain their form as they prepare for future global competitions. He assured them of continued government and NSC support under the leadership of Shehu Dikko.

Team Nigeria’s overall medal tally now stands at 8 gold, 10 silver, and 7 bronze, with hopes of more podium finishes as para-athletics and para-powerlifting events continue

20th November 2025
By Olugbenga Ige

Team Nigeria added two more gold medals to its haul at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, following standout performances in wrestling and the women’s 4x100m relay on Wednesday night.

The National Sports Commission confirmed the latest victories in a statement released on Thursday by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser to the Director-General, Bukola Olapade.

In the women’s 53kg freestyle wrestling final, Christiana Ogunsanya dominated Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova with an emphatic 11–1 victory to secure Nigeria’s first gold of the night.

The women’s relay team later delivered another golden moment as Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia combined to win the 4x100m event in 44.27 seconds. They edged Bahrain, who clocked 44.47 seconds for silver, while Gambia came in third at 45.05 seconds.

Nigeria also added to its medal count with two silver and three bronze medals across athletics and wrestling.

• In the men’s javelin, Kure Adams picked up bronze.

• Badmus Atanda also clinched bronze in the men’s 400m.

• Patience George claimed silver in the women’s 400m.

• The men’s 4x100m team—John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo, and James Emmanuel—finished third.

• In wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis settled for silver after a 5–1 loss to Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva in the 50kg final.

Reacting to the latest results, Olapade applauded the athletes and encouraged them to maintain their form as they prepare for future global competitions. He assured them of continued government and NSC support under the leadership of Shehu Dikko.

Team Nigeria’s overall medal tally now stands at 8 gold, 10 silver, and 7 bronze, with hopes of more podium finishes as para-athletics and para-powerlifting events continue.