Team Nigeria Boxers were the cynosure of all eyes at the just-concluded African Boxing Championship that also served as Olympic Games qualifier.
Cynthia Ogunsemilore Temitayo secured the first gold of the day after she defeated Algerian Khelif Hadjila by unanimous decision (5-0) in the Women’s 60kg to become the New Champion of Africa and qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Omole Dolapo Joshua fought his way to a unanimous decision (5-0) victory over Ethiopian Leta Fikremariyam Yadesa at Men’s 57kg to book a spot for the Olympics and become the New Champion of Africa in the Men’s featherweight division and grabbed second gold for Nigeria.
Olaore Olaoitan Adams joined two other Nigerian boxers to qualify for the Olympic games after a split win (5-0) over Algerian Houmri Mohamed at Men’s 92kg to become 2X African Champion and book a spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
MALE
- Omole Dalapo Joshua __Gold (Olympian)… Featherweight.
- Olaore Olaoitan Adams__Gold (Olympian)… Heavyweight.
FEMALE
- Cynthia Ogunsemilore__Gold (Olympian)…lightweight.
- Oyesiji Adeola Omowunmi (Bronze)..Flyweight
- Ojo Nene Joy__(Bronze)..Feather
- Patricia Mbata __(Bronze)…Middleweight.
Meanwhile, all Ghana boxers failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Only gold winners qualify for the Olympic games at the Dakar event, more more will make it at the World Qualifiers in Italy and Thailand.
Ghana was represented by 12 boxers, seven males and five females, and only one won a bronze medal.
Coach Ofori Asare is happy that they never came home empty-handed.