A boxer from Borno State had to settle for a bronze medal at the 8th National Youth Games in Asaba, after he overweighed and was stopped from fighting in the semi-final, but two of his colleagues made it to their respective finals.
This was disclosed by Borno State boxing coach, Abayomi Ojo Oyeleye, who told sports247.ng that all three boxers in their delegation to Asaba 2024 have made him proud.
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He also gave thanks to God for the ability of the boxing team of two boys and one girl in reaching the medal-winning stage of all categories in which they competed.
Oyeleye sermonised, “We give thanks to God Almighty. I came with three boxers … two male and one female. I am happy because all three of them qualified for the semi-finals.
“One overweighed for his second fight and then went for bronze. The other two are in their finals, and we are hoping they will win gold medals.”
Oyeleye also gave a concise breakdown of all weight categories in the boxing event and noted that one of his boys was disqualified for drinking water at the wrong time.
“The female category is 40kg, while the male category is 42kg. My boy could have won his fight, but he was overweight before it started.
“The limit for him was meant to be 44kg, but he weighed 46kg. I am not happy about it, but I understand that he drank water before coming to weigh.
“If he had been a senior boxer, he would have been able to endure, but he’s still a small boy,” Oyeleye conceded.
The ebullient former pugilist ended with an expression of optimism that he will return to Maiduguri with two gold medals from the other boxers, which he reckoned would make everyone happy in Borno State.
“My aim is to win gold with the other two. That would make me happy. It will also be good news for us.
“My director, the commissioner, the governor and everybody in Borno State will be happy if we win gold,” Oyeleye reasoned.
