13 African Games: Women Dominate Team Nigeria Medals Table

By Jonathan Ugbal

The 13th African Games came to a close on Saturday in Accra, Ghana with a colorful ceremony as Team Nigeria placed second on the medals table behind Egypt with women accounting for almost 60 percent of them.

A gender breakdown reveals that women clinched 35 of the 47 gold medals won by Nigeria. Men won 11 while 1 medal was won by a mixed team.

Women also won 18 Silver medals, two more than the 16 won by the Male delegation for a total of 34.

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And, in Bronze, the Male delegation won 20 medals, two more than the Female delegation’s 18 while two medals were won in mixed games for a total of 40.

When polled, the female delegation won 71 medals or 58.67% of the total medals won by Team Nigeria.

On the individual medals table, five Nigerians placed joint fourth with three Gold medals each all in weightlifting.

Four women – Eze Joy, aged 19; Ayodele Ruth, aged 23; Lawal Rafiatu, aged 27; and Olarinoye Adijat, aged 24 won gold in the 71kg, 64kg, 59kg and 55kg women’s competitions. 24-year old Umoafia completes the quintet in the 67kg men’s competitions.

As at press time on Sunday morning, part of the team had departed Accra for Abuja, Nigeria amidst expectations for improved performance for those who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

A Cross section of Team Nigeria female athletes display their medals won at the 13th African Games held in Accra, Ghana display their medals at the Games Village, University of Ghana. (Credit: CrossRiverWatch/Jonathan Ugbal)

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