By Francis Ajuonuma
Nigerian boxers to the African Continental Qualification Tournament (ACQT) in Dakar, Senegal are back in the country with three of the boxers winning gold medals to book their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The gold medalists include, Cynthia Ogunsemilore Temitayo, Omole Dolapo Joshua and Olaore Olaitan Adams.
The African Continental Qualification Tournament serves as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. finalist in the women’s events and gold medalists in the men’s events qualify for the Olympics.
Fighting in the final of the women’s 60kg weight category, Cynthia Ogunsemilore defeated Algerian Kelif Hadjila via a 5-0 unanimous decision to claim the gold medal and a ticket to the Olympic Games while Omole Dolapo earned victory over Leta Fikremariyam from Ethiopia in their 57kg weight class with a 5-0 unanimous decision to pick the gold medal and his Paris 2024 Olympic Games ticket.
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Nigeria’s third gold medal came from the reigning African heavyweight champion, Olaore Olaitan Adams who out-punched Algerian Houmri Mohammed with a 4-1 split decision in the final of the men’s 92kg weight division to win the gold and book his place in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games boxing show.
Meanwhile, three female boxers, Oyesiji Adeola Omowunmi (flyweight) Ojo Nene Joy (featherweight) and Patricia Mbata (middleweight) accounted for the three bronze medals.
Nigeria went to the championship with nine boxers and two coaches – Tony Konyegwachie and USA-based Adura Olalehin.
Algeria topped the madal table with 4 gold medals to pick four Paris 2024 Olympic Games tickets while Nigeria came second with 3 gold and bronze medals.
A total of 41 African Countries took part in the weeklong championship that lasted from 9-15 September 2023.
The team Nigeria boxers returned to the country on Saturday with Air Cote D’Ivoire that touched down at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos at 11.45 pm Nigeria time.
