Oluwafemiayo Shines as Nigeria Adds More Gold at Riyadh Solidarity Games

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Nigeria’s athletes delivered another strong showing at the 6th Solidarity Games in Riyadh, with standout performances across several sports adding to the country’s growing medal collection. Among the most remarkable moments was the dominant display by para powerlifting champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who once again proved her superiority on the international stage.

Competing in the women’s heavyweight category, Oluwafemiayo demonstrated both experience and strength as she outperformed her rivals with a commanding lift. Her victory placed Nigeria firmly among the leading nations at the competition.

According to Gossip News Now, the Nigerian star completed her lifts with impressive ease, finishing comfortably ahead of her competitors to secure the gold medal. Uzbekistan’s Kudratoy Toshpulatova finished second to take silver, while Jordan’s Asma Issa claimed the bronze position.

Oluwafemiayo’s success was part of a broader wave of achievements for Team Nigeria, whose athletes have consistently impressed throughout the tournament.

Athletics Team Delivers Another Gold Medal

One of the most exciting moments came from the track, where Nigeria’s Mixed 4×400 metres relay team produced a remarkable performance.

The quartet — Gafari Badmus, Anita Enaruna, Ezekiel Asuquo, and Patience George — executed a well-coordinated race that saw them cross the finish line ahead of their rivals. Their impressive effort earned them the gold medal while also producing a season-best time of 3:16.27.

In that race, Bahrain secured second place, while Turkey finished third.

Success Continues in Wrestling

Nigeria also celebrated success in wrestling events at the Games.

Esther Kolawole delivered a determined performance in the women’s 62kg freestyle final, defeating Azerbaijan’s Ruzanna Mammadova to secure the gold medal for Nigeria.

Another Nigerian competitor, Damola Ojo, reached the final of the 76kg freestyle category. Although she fought strongly, she eventually finished with the silver medal after facing Aiperi Kyzy of Kyrgyzstan.

Nigeria’s Current Medal Standing

Following these victories, Nigeria’s performance at the Riyadh competition has resulted in a notable medal tally. The breakdown of the country’s achievements so far includes:

10 gold medals
12 silver medals
7 bronze medals

This brings the total number of medals won by the Nigerian contingent to 29.

Officials Highlight Strategic Planning

Reacting to the team’s impressive showing, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, explained that the results were not accidental but the outcome of deliberate preparation.

He noted that the commission had taken a strategic approach when selecting athletes for the competition, focusing primarily on those with strong potential to win medals.

Olopade revealed that the selection strategy was developed following consultations with the Elite and Podium Board, which is chaired by former athletics star Yusuf Ali.

Sports Contributing to Nigeria’s Medal Success

According to the sports commission, Nigeria’s medals have come from a wide range of disciplines during the Games, including:

Athletics
Wrestling
Weightlifting
Boxing
Taekwondo

This diversity, officials say, reflects the growing strength of Nigeria’s sports programmes across multiple disciplines.

Commentary and Analysis

Nigeria’s performance at the Riyadh Solidarity Games highlights the benefits of focused preparation and strategic athlete selection. By prioritising competitors with strong medal prospects, the National Sports Commission appears to have maximised the country’s chances of success.

Oluwafemiayo’s victory also reinforces Nigeria’s reputation as a powerhouse in para powerlifting, a sport in which the country has consistently excelled at global competitions.

The success of the athletics relay team and the wrestling squad further demonstrates the depth of Nigeria’s talent pool across different sporting events.

Looking ahead, officials believe the experience gained in Riyadh will help guide preparations for future international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.