By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Nigeria’s Olympic Legends
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, some sports extra’s highlights the athletes who have secured Nigeria’s 27 Olympic medals.
Nojim Maiyegun (Tokyo 1964)
Born February 17, 1941, in Lagos, Maiyegun made history as Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic medallist by winning bronze in the men’s light middleweight (71kg) category at the 1964 Tokyo Games. He also clinched bronze at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica. Maiyegun moved to Austria in 1971 to further his boxing career, achieving 12 wins out of 16 professional bouts before retiring in 1973. Unfortunately, he lost his sight in 2012.
Isaac Ikhouria (Munich 1972)
Ikhouria brought home Nigeria’s second Olympic medal, a bronze in the light-heavyweight category at the 1972 Munich Games. Born on October 9, 1947, he followed this achievement with a gold medal at the 1973 Africa Games in Lagos.
Peter Konyegwachie (Los Angeles 1984)
It took two decades for Nigeria to upgrade from bronze to silver, achieved by Konyegwachie in the men’s featherweight category at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He turned professional in 1986, winning his first 15 fights before retiring in 1990 with a record of 15-1-0.
Duncan Dokiwari (Atlanta 1996)
Dokiwari continued Nigeria’s boxing legacy by winning bronze in the men’s super heavyweight at the 1996 Atlanta Games. He turned pro in 1997, securing 25 wins out of 28 fights before retiring.
Chioma Ajunwa (Atlanta 1996)
Ajunwa made history by winning Nigeria’s first gold medal and becoming the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold in a field event, the women’s long jump, at the 1996 Atlanta Games with a leap of 7.12m. Before switching to athletics, she played for the Super Falcons at the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Enefiok Udo-Obong (Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004)
Udo-Obong is the only Nigerian man to win two Olympic medals: gold in the 4x400m at Sydney 2000 and bronze in the same event at Athens 2004. Now serving as the technical director of the Lagos State Athletics Association, he is also a writer and speaker.
Falilat Ogunkoya (Atlanta 1996)
Ogunkoya secured two medals at the 1996 Atlanta Games: silver in the women’s 4x400m relay and bronze in the 400m. Her 400m time of 49.10s was a personal best and an African record.
Mary Onyali (Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996)
Onyali won bronze in the 4x100m relay at the 1992 Barcelona Games and in the women’s 200m at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She was the first Nigerian to compete in five Olympics from 1988 to 2004.
Glory Alozie (Sydney 2000)
Alozie won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2000 Sydney Games with a time of 12.68s. She later represented Spain and won the European Championship.
Ruth Ogbeifo (Sydney 2000)
Ogbeifo won Nigeria’s first weightlifting medal, a silver in the 75kg category at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Beatrice Utondu, Christy Opara-Thompson, Mary Onyali, Faith Idehen (Barcelona 1992)
This quartet won bronze in the women’s 4x100m relay at the 1992 Barcelona Games, marking Nigeria’s first success in women’s relay.
Olabisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf, Charity Opara, Falilat Ogunkoya (Atlanta 1996)
This team won silver in the women’s 4x400m relay at the 1996 Atlanta Games with a time of 3:21.04.
David Izonritei, Richard Igbineghu (Barcelona 1992)
These boxers won silver in the men’s heavyweight and super heavyweight categories at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Innocent Egbunike, Sunday Uti, Moses Ugbisie, Rotimi Peters (Los Angeles 1984)
This team won Nigeria’s first relay medal, a bronze in the men’s 4x400m at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Olapade Adeniken, Davidson Ezinwa, Chidi Imoh, Oluyemi Kayode, Osmond Ezinwa (Barcelona 1992)
This quartet won silver in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Olusoji Fasuba, Uchenna Emedolu, Aaron Egbele, Deji Aliu (Athens 2004)
This team won bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2004 Athens Games.
1996 Men’s Football Team
Nigeria’s U-23 team won gold in men’s football at the 1996 Atlanta Games, defeating Brazil and Argentina.
2008 Men’s Football Team
This team, led by Samson Siasia, won silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, losing to Argentina in the final.
2016 Men’s Football Team
Overcoming numerous challenges, this team won bronze at the 2016 Rio Games.
Franca Idoko, Gloria Kemasuode, Halimat Ismaila, Oludamola Osayomi, Agnes Osazuwa (Beijing 2008)
This team won silver in the women’s 4x100m relay at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Blessing Okagbare (Beijing 2008)
Okagbare won silver in the long jump at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Chika Chukwumerije (Beijing 2008)
Chukwumerije won bronze in taekwondo at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Mariam Usman (Beijing 2008)
Usman won bronze in weightlifting at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Blessing Oborududu (Tokyo 2020)
Oborududu won silver in wrestling at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021.
Ese Brume (Tokyo 2020)
Brume won bronze in the long jump at the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021, and holds the African and Commonwealth records in the event.
Nigeria’s Olympic Legends