By Victor Kanayo
With curtains gradually falling on the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games, Team Nigeria is currently occupying the eight position on the medals’ table with 16 medals – comprising seven gold, three silver and six bronze after day eight hostilities.
At the moment, Nigeria and South Africa are jointly leading Africa’s charge on the log with the later maintaining seventh position.
However, Nigeria’s push for podium finishes in the Athletics events on Saturday, Day nine of the competition will rest on the shoulders of mostly athletics.
Two young talents – Udodi Onwuzurike and Favour Ofili are already in the final of the men’s and women’s 200m final holding later on Saturday August 6, 2022.
Both athletes had defied the odds to make it to this podium hopeful stage.
Onwuzurike was almost pulled out of the semifinals owing to illness but he turned up and won comfortably while Ofili had an extended stay in isolation after the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America. She actually missed out of the Commonwealth Games women’s 100m event in the process.
Both student athletes have had a bruising and physically exerting NCAA season but are pushing to the limits to do the nation proud.
Some other medal hopefuls in events lined up for this Saturday are Nathaniel Ezekiel in the men’s 400m hurdles, Temitope Simbiat Adeshina and Esther Isa in the women’s high jump.
Another Nigerian, Oyesade Olatoye, will be competing in the final of the women’s hammer event.
Below is a full list Nigerian medal winners and sports events
Weightlifting
1.Adijat Adenike Olarinoye (Gold, Women’s 55kg).
2. Edidiong Joseph Umaofia (Bronze, Men’s 67kg).
3. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal (Gold, Women’s 59kg)
4. Islamiyat Yusuf (Bronze, Women’s 64kg).
5. Taiwo Laidi (Silver, Women’s 76kg).
6. Mary Taiwo Osijo (Bronze, Women’s 87kg)
Athletics
7. Chioma Onyekwere (Gold, Women’s Discus Throw).
8. Obiageri Amaechi (Bronze, Women’s Discus Throw).
9. Goodness Chiemere Nwachukwu (Gold, Women’s Discus Throw F 42-44/61-64).
Powerlifting
10. Alice Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Gold, Women’s Heavyweight).
11. Bose Patricia Omolayo (Silver, Women’s Heavyweight).
12. Ikechukwu Christian Obichukwu (Silver, Men’s Heavyweight).
13. Innocent Nnamdi (Bronze, Men’s Lightweight).
Wrestling
14. Adekuoroye Odunayo (Gold, Women’s Freestyle 57kg)
15. Kolawole Esther (Bronze, Women’s Freestyle 62kg).
16. Oborodudu Blessing (Gold, Women’s Freestyle 68kg).
