Nigeria’s hopes for a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics took a significant hit as Hannah Reuben, the nation’s last remaining contender for gold, was defeated in her Women’s Freestyle Wrestling 76kg Round of 16 bout.
Read Also: Paris 2024: More Nigerians Win Medals For Other Countries As Spain Strike Gold In Football
Reuben faced Mongolia’s Enkh Amar, who emerged victorious with a 5-2 scoreline, ending Nigeria’s direct path to a gold medal in the wrestling category.
Reuben entered the bout under intense pressure, knowing she was Nigeria’s last chance to bring home a gold medal from the Games. The match started evenly, with both wrestlers displaying strategic caution.
However, Amar soon gained the upper hand, utilizing her speed and technique to score critical points against Reuben. Despite her best efforts, Reuben could only secure two points in a match dominated by the Mongolian.
The loss leaves Reuben’s Olympic hopes hanging by a thread. Her only remaining path to a medal now lies in the Repechage rounds, which she will enter only if Amar advances to the final.
The Repechage offers a lifeline to athletes who lose to finalists, allowing them to compete for a bronze medal. For Nigeria, this means that the possibility of a gold medal at Paris 2024 is officially out of reach.
In a post-match interview, Reuben expressed her disappointment but remained determined. “It’s tough to accept, knowing how much this meant for Nigeria,” she said. “But I’ll keep fighting if I get the chance in the Repechage. A medal is still within reach, and I won’t give up.”
As Nigeria faces the reality of leaving Paris without a gold medal, all hopes now rest on Reuben’s potential run in the Repechage, with the nation rallying behind her in this critical moment. The coming days will determine whether Reuben can bring home a bronze medal, salvaging some success from what has been a challenging Olympics for Team Nigeria.
