Paris 2024 Olympics: Mixed fortunes for team Nigeria

By Ekemini Samuel

Posted on August 6, 2024

The Paris 2024 Olympics has been a rollercoaster ride for Team Nigeria, with moments of triumph and heartbreak.

On Monday, the team experienced a mix of both, as Blessing Oborodudu’s strong run in the 68kg Freestyle Wrestling event was tempered by her ultimate failure to secure a guaranteed medal. Meanwhile, Favour Ofili’s impressive performance in the Women’s 200 meters has given her a shot at gold.

Oborodudu, the 2020 Tokyo Games Silver Medalist, showed her mettle in the wrestling arena, winning her opening round match against Linda Morais and then defeating home favorite Koumba Larroque in the quarterfinals.

However, her semifinal loss to Meerim Zhumanarova from Kyrgyzstan ended her hopes of a guaranteed medal. Oborodudu will now fight for a bronze medal via the repechage route, a testament to her resilience and determination.

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On the tracks, Favour Ofili was in scintillating form, comfortably qualifying for the finals of the Women’s 200 meters with a personal season best time of 22.05 seconds. She finished second behind 100 meters winner Julien Alfred, setting herself up for a potential gold medal showdown. Ezekiel Nathaniel also impressed, placing second in his 400 meters hurdles heat with a time of 48.38 seconds to reach the semifinals.

However, not all Nigerian athletes shared in the success. Ella Onojuvwevwo and Esther Ello Joseph struggled in the Women’s 400 meters qualifying heat, failing to advance. Chidi Okezie’s 45.64 seconds run in the Men’s 400 meters was also not enough to see him through to the next round.

Despite these setbacks, Team Nigeria remains optimistic about their chances in the remaining events. Tuesday promises to be another packed day of action, with Ruth Usoro, Prestina Ochonogor, and medal hopeful Ese Brume competing in the Long Jump qualifying round.

Ella Onojuvwevwo and Udodi Onwuzuruike will seek redemption via the repechage, while Samuel Ogazi will spike up in the semifinals of the Men’s 400 meters. Favour Ofili will also go for a medal in the Women’s 200 meters final, looking to make amends for her exclusion from the 100 meters event.