Riyadh 2025: Nigeria Adds Two More Gold Medals

Team Nigeria added two more gold medals to its tally on Wednesday night at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, lifting the country’s spirits and strengthening its position on the medals table.

The victories came in women’s freestyle wrestling and the women’s 4×100 metres relay, further showcasing Nigeria’s growing dominance in both track and field and combat sports.

Nigeria’s first gold of the night came from the wrestling arena, where Christiana Ogunsanya powered past Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova in the 53kg freestyle final. Ogunsanya delivered a near-flawless performance, defeating her opponent 11-1 in what officials described as one of the most convincing wins of the category. The victory added another prestigious title to Nigeria’s wrestling campaign and reaffirmed the country’s rising profile in the sport.

Later in the evening, the quartet of Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia seized the spotlight in the women’s 4×100 metres relay. The team produced a sharp, well-coordinated run to clinch the gold medal in 44.27 seconds. Their performance edged out Bahrain, who settled for silver in 44.47 seconds, while The Gambia secured the bronze with a time of 45.05 seconds.

Beyond the two gold medals, Nigeria also expanded its silver and bronze collection with strong performances across athletics and wrestling. In the men’s javelin, Kure Samuel Adams delivered a solid throw to claim bronze, while Badmus Atanda added another bronze in the men’s 400m. In the women’s 400m final, veteran sprinter Patience Okon George finished second behind her Bahraini rival to secure a silver medal for the country.

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Nigeria’s men’s 4×100 metres relay team featuring John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo, and James Taiwo Emmanuel—also earned a bronze medal, finishing behind Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Their podium finish marked another commendable outing for Nigeria’s sprinting department.

In the wrestling arena, Miesinnei Genesis narrowly missed out on gold in the women’s 50kg freestyle final. She fell 5-1 to Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva and settled for a silver medal, adding to Nigeria’s growing haul in combat sports.

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, who witnessed the wrestling finals in person, applauded the athletes for their resilience, dedication, and commitment to bringing glory to the country. He encouraged them to maintain discipline and remain focused ahead of future international competitions.

“I am truly proud of both of you,” Olopade said, addressing the medal-winning wrestlers. “Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will continue to expose our athletes to the best international competitions both at home and abroad to ensure podium success. Your performance here means a lot to us, and the National Sports Commission under the Chairmanship of Mallam Shehu Dikko is determined to ensure Nigeria continues to enjoy the feel-good factor of sports.”

With Wednesday’s medal wins, Team Nigeria’s overall tally has now risen to 8 gold, 10 silver, and 7 bronze medals. Officials say more medals are expected in para-athletics and para-powerlifting events in the coming days, as Nigeria continues its quest for an impressive finish at the Riyadh Games.