Nigeria added two new names to its list of FIDE-titled chess players after Sandra Osarugue Omoruyi and Odey Goodness Ekunke achieved title milestones at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Bold Sports reports.
Omoruyi earned the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Ekunke secured the Candidate Master (CM) title. Their achievements came as Team Nigeria competed against players from around the world at the Olympiad.
Ekunke continues impressive rise
Ekunke entered the Olympiad after making history earlier this year in Abuja. He won the inaugural FIDE World Amateur Rapid Chess Championship.
At the Samarkand Olympiad, he finished with six points from 11 games. That tally made him Nigeria’s leading performer in the Open section based on the information released by the National Sports Commission.
More Read
His performance adds another milestone to the teenager’s rapid development. Ekunke was part of Nigeria’s Open team alongside established players such as Abdulrahman Akintoye, Odion Aikhoje and Bomo Lovet Kigigha.
Omoruyi makes her mark
Omoruyi also produced a notable individual campaign in the Women’s event. She collected six points from 10 games. Her total included six victories.
The performance helped underline her progress on the international chess stage. She now adds the WCM title to Nigeria’s growing group of internationally titled players.
Official Olympiad records list Omoruyi among Nigeria’s representatives in the Women’s section.
More strong performances from Team Nigeria
Other Nigerian players also posted notable scores during the competition. WIM Bridget Michael finished with 5½ points. FM Abdulrahman Akintoye also recorded 5½ points.
IM Odion Aikhoje and FM Bomo Lovet Kigigha both ended their campaigns on 4½ points.
The results gave Nigeria several individual performances to highlight from the Samarkand tournament.
The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad ran from September 16 to September 27, 2026, in Samarkand. The competition featured separate Open and Women’s events.
New chapter for Nigerian chess
Omoruyi and Ekunke’s new titles add to Nigeria’s presence within the international chess community.
For Ekunke, the CM title follows his breakthrough World Amateur Rapid Championship victory in Abuja. For Omoruyi, the WCM title marks another step in her international career.
Their achievements provide fresh milestones for Nigerian chess following the country’s participation at one of the sport’s major global team competitions.
© Bold Sports Media. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
