As the Paris 2024 Olympics enters its final stages, Team Nigeria remains in the hunt for their first medal, with hopes pinned on a strong lineup of athletes scheduled to compete today, Friday, August 9, 2024.
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Taekwondo:
Elizabeth Oluchi Anyanacho kicks off Nigeria’s quest in the Women’s -67kg Taekwondo Round of 16, where she will face China’s Song Jie at the Grand Palais. Anyanacho, who narrowly missed a medal at Tokyo 2020, is determined to make her mark in Paris. “I’ve trained harder than ever before. I know what’s at stake, and I’m ready to give it my all,” she said in a pre-match interview.
Wrestling:
At the Champ-de-Mars Arena, Nigeria’s wrestling contingent takes to the mat with Esther Omolayo Kolawole competing in the Women’s Freestyle 62kg 1/8 Final against Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan. Kolawole, known for her tenacity, faces a tough opponent in Tynybekova, a seasoned Olympian. Following her, Ashton Adeyemi Mutuwa will battle Hungary’s Daniel Ligeti in the Men’s Freestyle 125kg 1/8 Final. Both wrestlers are looking to advance and secure a podium finish for Nigeria.
Athletics:
In the athletics arena, Nigeria’s Men’s 4x400m relay team will take on the world in the first round at Stade de France. The team is eager to replicate the success of past Nigerian relay squads. Meanwhile, Tobi Amusan, the reigning world record holder in the 100m hurdles, competes in the semi-final with her eyes set on gold. “This is my moment, and I’m ready to make history,” Amusan confidently stated after her quarter-final victory.
Cycling Track:
Ese Ukpeseraye will represent Nigeria in the Women’s Sprint Qualifying event at the Vélodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelins. As one of Nigeria’s top cyclists, Ukpeseraye is aiming to advance to the final stages.
Weightlifting:
Finally, in weightlifting, all eyes will be on Joy Ogbonne Eze as she competes in the Women’s 71kg Gold Medal Event at South Paris Arena. Eze, a strong contender, carries the hopes of millions of Nigerians as she lifts for glory.
