Nigerian boxers were the cynosure of all eyes at the recently concluded Africa Youth Games in Angola, owing to their outstanding performances.
The pugilists, coached by the experienced Anthony Konyegwachie, secured Two Gold and One Bronze Medal in Angola in a commanding style.
Nigeria’s only female entry in the boxing event, Ayomide Shakirat Mayowa, displayed plenty of potential as she won the country’s first Gold medal in her triumph over Bensallah Bouthenia of Algeria via a split decision in their 48kg final bout.
In the men’s 50 kg category, Abijuwon Olalekan Farouq did not lose sweat to win team Nigeria’s second Gold as he gained a walkover over Bofenda Mabela of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who turned out to weigh before the brawl.
Joshua Solomon’s quest for the top honours was cut short in the semi-finals following his defeat to Wisdom Pedro of Angola by a split decision in the 70kg. The promising pugilists earned a Bronze to complete Nigeria’s third medal at the boxing event.
With the boxers’ outstanding display in Luanda, both Ayomide Mayowa, 48kg female, and Abijuwon Farouq, 50kg male, have qualified for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled for October to November 2026 in Dakar, Senegal.
The Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) Vivian Azimene, who led the team to Angola, said it was a show of grit and total commitment on the part of the boxers.
“I am happy that the boxers were able to justify the trust and belief in the team by the NBF board, the National Sports Commission leadership, as well as that of the entire Nigerians. The performance of these young pugilists means one thing: that boxing in Nigeria has taken an upward trajectory. Vivian added.
The Vice President of the NBF, Hon. Omonlei Imadu, whose emergence has brought so much “Vim and Vigour” to the advancement of Olympic-style boxing in the country, said the new NBF board is committed to changing the narrative of the squared ropes sports in the country.
“I am excited to say that it’s a new dawn for Boxing in Nigeria, the performance of our boxers in Angola is only an elementary to what we can achieve as a board, we already have a well-structured program for a holistic development of the sport going forward and this will take effect from the month of January 2026”.
The Yucateco boss who initiated the first-ever amateur boxing league in Africa further praised the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their support and encouragement.
“It’s important that I also mentioned that the leadership on the NSC has been greatly supportive in all we have achieved in this very short period, with such collaboration and support from the apex sports governing body in the country, things can only get better in our sports”. Imadu said.
The Nigerian boxing contingent to the Africa Youth Games returned to Abuja on Saturday. The boxers will be hosted to a grand reception in Lagos on Monday by the Nigeria Boxing Federation.