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Tag: Commonwealth Games

  • Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s Chukwuma, Nwokocha Lose In Women’s 100m Final

    Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s Chukwuma, Nwokocha Lose In Women’s 100m Final

    Nigeria’s duo of  Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha finished fourth and fifth respectively to miss out on a podium finish n the women’s 100 metres final at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday night.

    Meanwhile, Elaine Thompson-Herah, the only one of Jamaica’s “Big Three” women to show up at the Commonwealth Games, was rewarded with the 100 metres gold medal on Wednesday, while Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala powered to the men’s title.

    Thompson-Herah, twice the 100/200m sprint champion at the Olympics, finished third in last month’s World Championship 100 final behind Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She was originally only a reserve for the Commonwealths but when Fraser-Pryce opted out, she stepped in.

    With Dina-Asher Smith, fourth in Eugene, also absent through injury, Thompson-Herah was the clear favourite for her first individual Commonwealth title.

    She had looked a little tired in her semi-final but grabbed the early lead in the final and ran her usual smooth race to finish a comfortable winner in 10.95 seconds.

    “Feeling good, I didn’t have the best execution but I had to dig for that one but I am still grateful to win my first Commonwealth Games,” she said.

    “I started in 2014 in the 4x100m. Then in 2018 in the 200m, I came fourth and now I upgraded to gold.”

    Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred was on her shoulder throughout for silver in 11.01 while England’s Daryll Neita recovered well from a terrible start to grab bronze in 11.07.

    Omanyala, who set an African record of 9.77 seconds last year, served a 14-month doping ban four years ago. He failed to make the final at last month’s World Championships after arriving in the United States hours before the heats due to visa problems.

    Impressive in the semi-final he looked the favourite on Wednesday and duly controlled the final from gun to tape, flying out of the blocks and surging clear and looking more like a barrelling rugby prop than a sprinter to win in 10.02 seconds.

    He is the second Kenyan to take the title after Seraphino Antao in 1962 when the event was still run over 100 yards.

    South Africa’s defending champion Akani Simbine took silver in 10.13 with Yupun Abeykoon from Sri Lanka getting the bronze in 10.14.

  • Commonwealth Games: India cause pain for Nigeria’s table tennis team

    Commonwealth Games: India cause pain for Nigeria’s table tennis team

    India has defeated Nigeria by a 3-0  margin to reach another Commonwealth Games doubles final.

    Meanwhile, another  Indian  Sharath Kamal defeated world number 15, Aruna Quadri in the Men’s single competition.

    G Sathiyan and Harmeet Desai defeated Olajide Omotayo and Abiodun Bode in the opening doubles match in straight games. Then, the 40-year-old Sharath cruised past  Quadri in the important second singles encounter to give India a significant advantage.

    He defeated Quadri by 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, and 15-13 to progress in the competition.

    At the NEC arena, the fourth match ended up being the most entertaining. Everyone was on the edge of their seats throughout the long, rapid rallies. Late in the contest, Quadri won the greatest rally (19 shots) by a score of 9-8. By using the body smash, Sharath was able to tie the game at ten. Despite Quadri’s successful backhand, the Indian had the last laugh.

    Sathiyan, the highest-ranked player from India, eventually defeated Omotayo 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, and 11-8 to seal Nigeria’s defeat at the hands of India.

    Team Nigeria will take on England in the third-place match at the NEC 3 court. Team India will also face Singapore in the final after the third-place game.

  • Commonwealth Games: Yusuf clinches fourth medal for Nigeria

    Commonwealth Games: Yusuf clinches fourth medal for Nigeria

    Nigerian Weightlifter, Islamiyat Yusuf has won the fourth medal for the country at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

    Yusuf clinched the bronze medal in the women’s weightlifting 64kg event after lifting a combined total of 212kg from both the Snatch, Clean & Jerk.

    Maude Charron representing Canada won the gold medal while Sarah Cochrane from Australia finished second to win the silver medal.

    Monday’s bronze medal is the fourth medal for Nigeria in the weightlifting event where the country had earlier won two gold and another bronze medal.

    All Nigeria’s medals so far have come from weightlifting.

    Yusuf’s bronze feat means Team Nigeria remains in the ninth position with two gold and two bronze medals

  • Commonwealth Games: NWF President Lauds Olarinoye On Winning Team Nigeria’s First Gold

    Commonwealth Games: NWF President Lauds Olarinoye On Winning Team Nigeria’s First Gold

    The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF has lauded Olarinoye Adenike Adijat on her superlative performance on Saturday after she won Team Nigeria’s first gold medal in weightlifting at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, tagged Birmingham 2022 in England.
    The 23-year-old Adijat won Nigeria’s first gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games on Saturday while also setting a new record.
    She lifted a total of 203kg with 92kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk in the women’s category to land Team Nigeria’s first gold medal.
    She beat India’s Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam who lifted 202kg to win silver while Fraser Morrow of England won bronze in 198kg lift
    Reacting to Olarinoye’s feat, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation President, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul expressed delight and gave glory to God for seeing her efforts and that of the NWF board in repositioning weightlifting in Nigeria, come through.
    “I am very elated with Adijat’s feat today (yesterday) Before the competition, I told her to be confident, to believe she can do it. And she did it.
    “The board of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation and the entire Nigerians are indeed proud of her. As the president of the federation who has watched her closely, I never doubted her capacity and potential. Her victory is a testament to our commitment not to reposition weightlifting in the country and that is why the federation has been the extra mile to ensure that they started camping as far back as April.
    “Recall that a few months after we assumed office last year, she won silver at the IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) Championship in Uzbekistan and this is a step forward in reaching her stardom,” he said.
    He lauded the coaching crew as well as President Mohammed Buhari for their support adding that Team Nigeria remains optimistic about more medals in weightlifting.
    “The coaches, led by the technical director, Chris Nwadieh have been phenomenal. I am happy that their hard work has continued to yield fantastic results.
    “I want to also thank the father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari who through the Honourable Minister of youth and sports, Chief Sunday Dare has remained supportive.
    “This gold, to the glory of God, is the beginning of more medals to come from the weightlifting team. All we need from Nigerians, which they have continued to display, is prayer and support.”
    Adijat Olarinoye’s gold medal feat also set a new record in weightlifting in the Commonwealth Games.
    With the gold, Nigeria is placed 9th on the overall medals table but 3rd in the Weightlifting medals table after Malaysia and India in first and second places, respectively.
    Meanwhile, Nigeria’s quest to win more medals in weightlifting at the Birmingham 2022 Games will continue today as two atheists will be in action
    Umoafia Edidiong will be seeking Nigeria’s second medal in the 67kg male category by 9:30 am while Rafiatu Lawal will compete in the 59kg women category at 2:00 pm
  • Commonwealth Games: Meet 94 Athletes representing Team Nigeria

    Commonwealth Games: Meet 94 Athletes representing Team Nigeria

    The opening ceremony of the commonwealth games begins today in Birmingham, United Kingdom, with Nigerians expected to compete in different sporting events at the games.
    Below is the comprehensive list of Nigerian athletes expected to do the country proud in nine sporting events at the games.
    *ATHLETICS*
    Adeyemi Sikiru, Alaba Olukunle Akintola, Amarachukwu Obi, Amene Dubem, Amusan Oluwatobiloba, Ella Onojuevwo, Enekwechi Chukwuebuka, Ese Brume, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Favour Ofili, Favour Oghene-Tejiri Ashe, Godson Oke Oghenebrume, Isa Esther, Joy Udo Gabriel, Mike Edwards, Nnamani Jonson, Nnamdi Chinecerem, Nwokocha Grace, Obiageri Amechi, Ojeli Emmanuel, Olatoye Oyesade, Omovoh Knowledge, Onyekwere Chioma, Orobosa Anabel Frank, Patience Okon George, Raymond Ekevwo, Rosemary Chukwuma, Ruth Usoro, Samson Nathaniel, Seye Ogunlewe, Temitope Adeshina, Tima Godbless, Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike.
    *BOXING*
    34 ADEYINKA Benson, EGUNJOBI Yetunde, EHWARIEME Innocent, OGUNSEMILORE Cynthia, OSHOBA Elizabeth, OSOBA Abdul-Afeez Osoba, OYEKWERE Ifeanyi, SHOGBAMU Bolanle, UMUNNAKWE Jacinta.
    *JUDO*
    43 ASONYE Joy Oluchi, EDWIN Patrick, JAMES Cecilia Chinyeye, MURITALA Fatai.
    *PARA-ATHLETICS*
     47 ALAM Ugochi, EZEJI Kennedy, GALADIMA Suwaibidu, IYIAZI Njideka, NWACHUKWU Goodness.
    *PARA-POWERLIFTING*
    52 IBRAHIM Abdulazeez, IKECHUKWU Obichukwu, MARK Onyinyechi, NNAMDI Innocent, OLUWAFEMIAYO Folashade, OMOLAYO Bose, THOMAS Kure, TIJANI Latifat.
    *PARA-TABLE TENNIS*
    60 AGUNBIADE Tajudeen, IKPEOYI Ifechukwude, OBAZUAYE Faith, OBIORA Chinenye Faith, OGUNKUNLE Isau, OLUFEMI Alabi Olabiyi, SULE Nasiru.
    *TABLE TENNIS*
     67 AMADI Omeh, ARUNA Quadri, BELLO Fatima Atinuke, BODE Abiodun, OFFING Edem, OJOMO Ajoke***, OLAJIDE Adeyemi Omotayo, ORIBAMISE Esther, OSHONAIKE Funke.
    *WEIGHTLIFTING*
    76 EMMANUEL Appah, EZE Joy Ogbonne, ISLAMIYAT Adebukola, OLARINOYE Adijat, OSIJO Mary Taiwo, RABIATU Folashade, STELLA Peters Kingsley, TAIWO Ladi, UMOAFIA Joseph.
    *WRESTLING*
    85 ADEKUOROYE Mercy, ADEKUOROYE Odunayo, AMAS Daniel, EBIKEWENIMO Welson, EKEREKEME Agiomor, GENESIS Mercy, KOLAWOLE Esther, OBORODUDU Blessing, OGBONNA Emmanuel John, REUBEN Hannah.
  • Commonwealth Games: First Batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent arrives in Birmingham

    Commonwealth Games: First Batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent arrives in Birmingham

    The first batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the 2022 Commonwealth Games has arrived in Birmingham, the host city of the event.

    The team left the country on Saturday in two groups via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

    Musa Oshodi, president of the Nigeria Judo Federation, who was part of Nigeria’s first batch to the Games, confirmed the team’s arrival in an interview with newsmen.

    Oshodi said the team arrived around 6 p.m. on Saturday and has already begun athlete’s registration in Birmingham.

    Meanwhile, another batch of Team Nigeria’s contingent is expected to leave late Saturday night to the Games.

    Newsmen reports that 94 athletes and 21 officials will represent the country in nine sports at the Games.
    Meanwhile, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, has charged the athletes to be focused and disciplined.

    Dare, in a statement released by his media unit, emphasised that there was going to be zero tolerance for doping by the Nigerian sports authorities.

    He also stated the need for the athletes to be clean and fair.

    “I want to urge you to be disciplined. If you have any complaints, the Ministry has outlined how they can be resolved.

    “There are just three layers for conflict resolution now and by the time you are getting to that third layer, you are getting to me.”

    The minister recalled that some days earlier the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics had commended Nigeria for its zero-tolerance stance against doping.

    The body also noted the seriousness Nigeria has now attached to its anti-doping campaign.

    “Our increased number of tests and drive to do things right are some of the things you should reflect at this Games.

    “So, as you leave for the Commonwealth Games, remember to be good ambassadors of our dear country and strive to do us proud,” Dare added.

    The Games is scheduled to begin on Thursday and end on Aug. 8 with about 72 countries expected to participate.(

  • Commonwealth Games: British High Commissioner wishes team Nigeria success

    Commonwealth Games: British High Commissioner wishes team Nigeria success

    The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing has wished the Nigerian Athletes participating in the Birmingham 2022 Common Wealth Games success, urging them to make Nigeria proud.

    Laing extended her good wishes to the team on Thursday during a farewell reception hosted by the High Commission in Abuja.

    She advised the team to focus on their strength and not forget the sacrifices they had made, commending the Nigerian government for the level of preparedness of the team.

    Briefing journalists at the reception Lain said, “When I say team Nigeria, I am definitely sure that they will do very well.

    “Minister of sport was telling me that on twelve sports, where Nigeria feels confidence and I think that it is a good strategy, focus on your strength and what the UK adopted, train your athletes very well.

    “It is a very complex process preparing for the games, you think about nutrition and optimal level of training.

    “I think that team Nigeria is in really good shape and I think also that they enjoy the game and enjoy Birmingham where the game is.

    “Nigeria is in good shape and it is great seeing a lot of the female athletes because the Birmingham games is going to be very unusual, there are more medals for females than for males this year.

    “I understand that Nigeria also has a very strong Paralympic team so I am gunning for your women, and I am gunning for your Paralympic team and I am also sure that Nigeria will come home with some medals.

    “But not against the British team, Nigeria can get Silver,” Laing said.

    Laing said that the UK government looks forward to celebrating the commonwealth through sport which aims at bringing commonwealth countries together.

    Youths and Sports Minister Sunday Dare said that team Nigeria was fully prepared for the commonwealth games and gunning to return with the golds.

    Dare said that the Nigerian team had undergone a series of training to improve their skills and the government had also made adequate preparations to ensure their output and comfort.

    “Team Nigeria is fit and prepared. In the last several weeks we have seen team Nigeria participate in several competitions.

    “Of course, we had the national trials, we had the championship in Mauritius, they are now in Oregon, back to back and then to the commonwealth.

    “When you have competitions like that it sharpens the skills of the athletes, it also improves their preparedness and precision.

    “So team Nigeria is fit, team Nigeria is ready and the spirit of the commonwealth is in them and I am sure that they will do Nigeria nice when they get to Birmingham,” Dare said.


    Miss Adijat Olanreoye, a female weightlifter in the 55 kg category said that they were optimistic about winning the best positions across all categories

    “We are prepared. We are honoured to be here today and we are honoured to be the athletes representing the country at the commonwealth games.

    “And we know we will do our best and we will come home with the best positions and the best of the medals.

    “We are prepared, we have been training and we are prepared for the competition,” Olanreoye said.

    Mr Benson Adeyinka, a Boxer representing Nigeria in the competition also assured Nigerians of coming home with the gold.

    “Our hopes are high and we are hoping for the gold, we believe in our works and training. We really put a lot into work and we are hundred per cent and fully loaded,” Adeyinka said.

    Newsmen reports that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 28 to Aug. 8, in Birmingham, the United Kingdom with 19 sports to feature in 11 days.

    Seventy-two teams are expected to take part in the competition from commonwealth nations and overseas territories, with 6,500 athletes and officials also expected to attend.

  • Weightlifting: Team Nigeria win first gold medal in Commonwealth qualifiers

    Weightlifting: Team Nigeria win first gold medal in Commonwealth qualifiers

    The Nigeria Weightlifting team have won first gold medal in the ongoing International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships and Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Uzbekistan.

    Christopher Nwadei, Technical Director, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the team would win more medals to make the country proud and fulfill their promise to the President of the Federation, Abdul Ibrahim.

    “I am delighted to inform you that Stella Kingsley won Commonwealth Championships Gold medal on Wednesday.

    “She currently placed 5th position at the IWF World Championships in the 49 kg Category with a successful lift of Snatch 72 kg, C/Jerk 96 kg and Total of 168 kg.

    “This is just the beginning of the victory, because everyone of them is determined to return home with medals.

    “I thank the President of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for their support and prayers,” he said.

    Nwadei said the twin championship “is a qualification event for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games next year in Birmingham, England and also the IWF World Championship.”

    NAN reports that a total of seven lifters are representing the country in the double Championship.

    They are: Stella Peter Kingsley, 49 kg; Adenike Olarinoye, 55 kg; Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, 59 kg; Ogbonne Eze-Joy, 71 kg.

    Other lifters are: Taiwo Liadi, 76 kg; Emmanuel Appah, 61 kg, and Joseph Edidiong, 67 kg.

    The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships and Commonwealth Senior Championships, which started on Dec. 7 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is expected to end on Dec. 17..

  • Shocker! Transgender weightlifter withdraws halfway into Commonwealth Games

    Shocker! Transgender weightlifter withdraws halfway into Commonwealth Games

    Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard withdrew midway through the Commonwealth Games tournament on Monday despite leading the standings after the snatch in the 90+kg division.

    The New Zealander, whose participation was criticised as “unfair” by the Samoan team, lifted 120kg but appeared to injure her arm after attempting 132kg with her third effort.

    Shortly into the clean and jerk component, it was announced that Hubbard had declined her lifts.

    The New Zealander, who lived as Gavin Hubbard until four years ago and competed at national level as a man, finished second in the women’s super-heavyweights behind American Sarah Robles at the world championships in December.

    Earlier on Monday, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive David Grevemberg called on her nation to support the lifter.

    “I hope all New Zealanders would get behind one of their athletes that has gone through the pathway to achieve greatness, and within the rules of the sport,” Grevemberg told reporters.

    Historic 2018 Commonwealth games set to begin on Gold Coast

     

  • Commonwealth Games: D’Tigers lose 67-82 to Canada

    Commonwealth Games: D’Tigers lose 67-82 to Canada

    The Canadian national basketball team on Saturday defeated the Nigerian national male basketball team, D’Tigers, 82-67 points at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

    The Nigerians had lost their first preliminary qualification game against the Tall Blacks of New Zealand on Friday and have now all but crashed out of the tournament.

    Canada were favourites going into the game, and in the game’s first quarter Canada took a 23-16 points lead, while D’Tigers took a narrow lead of 21-20 in the second period.

    D’Tigers also rallied to take another slim lead in the third quarter, pipping Canada by 15-14 points, with both leads doing little to peg the North Americans back.

    It was in the final period, however, that Canada extended their domination, taking 25 points against D’Tigers’ 15.

    The Nigerian basketball team are now in the bottom of Pool A, having played two matches and lost both.

    Pool toppers New Zealand and second-placed Australia played their group’s other game later in the day.

    Two teams will qualify for the semi-finals from each preliminary group, while the bottom two teams from Pools A and B will play for a place in the qualifying finals.

    Nigeria’s final group match is against hosts Australia on Tuesday at 12 noon Nigerian time.

    NAN