Sports
Gold Coast 2018: Nigerian Wrestlers Win Three Medals
Team Nigeria won three medals, one silver and two bronze, as the wrestling event began at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia yesterday.
Fighting in the 76kg weight class, Blessing Onyebuchi settled for silver after she lost to Olympic Champion Erica Wiebe in the final. The Canadian secured the gold via a fall.
Onyebuchi had earlier defeated both Katouskia Pariadhaven of Mauritius and India’s Kiran, 10-0 (via technical superiority), to advance to the final.
Earlier in the day, Bose Samuel secured bronze for Team Nigeria in the women’s 53kg class, after she overcame Deepika Dilhani of Sri Lanka, 10-0 (via fall). She adds the Commonwealth Games bronze medal to the African Championship gold she won in Port Harcourt two months ago.
In the men’s event, Welson Ebikewenimo grabbed another bronze for Nigeria, his third medal at Commonwealth level. The Bayelsa born-athlete avenged his African Championship defeat to January Combrinck, over-powering the South African, 5-2 on points.
But Amos Assizecourt was unlucky as he missed out of another bronze for Nigeria in the 74kg weight category despite leading Welshman Curtis Dodge, 8-0 in the first round. Dodge eventually beat Assizecourt via a fall in the second round to clinch the bronze-the first for Wales in wrestling at the Commonwealth Games.
Action will continue in wrestling on Friday with Team Nigeria’s Commonwealth Champion Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), 8-time African Champion Blessing Oborududu (68kg), Amas Daniel (65kg) and Soso Tamarau (97kg) all expected to vie for medals.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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