Sports
Nigeria Wins 11th Africa Armwrestling Championship In Lagos
Nigeria has emerged overall winner at the 11th Africa Armwrestling Championships which ended on Friday in Lagos.
The Tidesports source reports that Nigerian teams won 27 gold medals, 27 silver and 22 bronze medals at the three-day championship which held at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere.
Nigeria’s overwhelming performance will go down as their best so far in the competition as no fewer than 45 armwrestlers competed to achieve the results.
Coming in the second position was Egypt with 24 gold medals, using only six armwrestlers to achieve their results.
Ghana claimed the third position clinching 18 gold medals, 22 silver and five bronze medals to the delight of the coach.
No fewer than 12 countries participated in the competition which kicked-off on July 19 and drew curtains on July 22.
In an interview with newsmen, the President of Africa Armwrestling Federation, Charles Asibey, said that the competition was a success.
He said that the event had lived up to expectations and was confident that the future was bright for the sport in Africa.
“Only five countries participated when Nigeria last hosted but now we have 12 countries shows that the sport has grown tremendously.”
“This is a big development and we are so proud that that the sport is now gradually lifting from the ground and gaining good acceptance.
“Armwrestling is a great sport with good techniques and it takes a lot of hard work and tactics to achieve set objectives.
“We are proud of what we have seen today especially from countries who are also participating for the first time indeed it is a great moment in the history of the sport,” Asibey said.
He added that Ghana will host the 12th edition in 2023 where the competition would be used as qualifications for the All Africa Games which also holds in Ghana.
Similarly, Samuel Jackson, the Vice President, Africa Armwrestling Federation, who also doubles as President, Nigeria Armwrestling Federation, expressed delight over the achievements.
He said that the essence of hosting the competition was to create more awareness for the sport to be a scoring sport at the coming Nigeria Sports Festival.
He said that the sport had grown sporadically and it cannot be termed as a lesser sport again, urging corporate bodies to invest in the success story.
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.
-
News5 days agoDon Savours Inaugural Lecture Presentation, Commends VC
-
News17 hours agoPolice Arrest Nigerian, Two Others For Kidnapping In Edo
-
Business8 hours agoNigeria, AFC sign $1.3 billion deal to build alumina refinery
-
Nation19 hours agoPerm Sec Explains Success Of FGM Elimination Programme In Rivers
-
News17 hours agoNDLEA Arrests Ex-Councillor With 40kg Skunk, Recovers Drugs In Diapers
-
Rivers7 hours agoLGSC Boss Commits To Better Service Delivery
-
Rivers7 hours agoADIAFRICA Flags-off Free Eye Screening Outreach In PH
-
Rivers7 hours agoKENPOLY Rector Promises To Prioritise Students’ Welfare