Team Nigeria boosted their gold medal haul at the ongoing 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh with two impressive victories in wrestling and the women’s 4x100m relay on Wednesday night.

The update was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade.

In wrestling, Christiana Ogunsanya dominated the women’s 53kg freestyle final, defeating Uzbekistan’s Shokhida Akhmedova 11–1 to secure gold.

Nigeria’s young sprint quartet of Bada Toyin, Ezechukwu Miracle, Omokwe Maria, and Nweke Cynthia then delivered a superb performance to win the women’s 4x100m relay in 44.27 seconds. Bahrain followed with 44.47 seconds, while Gambia claimed bronze in 45.05 seconds.

Team Nigeria also added two silver and three bronze medals to their tally.

In athletics, Kure Adams took bronze in the men’s javelin, while Badmus Atanda also secured bronze in the men’s 400m.
In the women’s 400m, Patience George won silver behind a Bahraini competitor, and the men’s 4x100m team of John Caleb, Chidera Ezeakor, Ezekiel Asuquo, and James Emmanuel picked up bronze.

In wrestling, Miesinnei Genesis settled for silver after losing 5–1 to Uzbekistan’s Aktenge Keunimjaeva in the women’s 50kg freestyle final.

Reacting to the performances, Olapade praised the athletes for their commitment and urged them to stay focused ahead of future international tournaments.

“I am truly proud of both of you, and I want you to know that President Bola Tinubu will continue to expose Nigerian athletes to top international competitions for podium success.

“Your performance here means a lot to us, and the NSC, under the chairmanship of Shehu Dikko, is committed to ensuring Nigeria continues to enjoy the feel-good factor of sports,” he said.

Team Nigeria now have a total of eight gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals, with more expected in para-athletics and para-powerlifting.