Former Olympian and heavyweight boxing star, Efe Ajagba, has called on Nigerian athletes, particularly boxers, to strive for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The last Nigerian boxer to compete at the Olympics, Efe Ajagba represented the country in the super heavyweight division at Rio 2016, reaching the quarterfinals. He knocked out Trinidad and Tobago’s Nigel Paul in the round of 32 before losing on points to Kazakhstani, Ivan Dychko in the quarter-finals.
After a disappointing absence from the Tokyo Olympics, boxing has made a comeback and is one of twelve sports representing Nigeria in Paris.
The nation will be represented by three boxers: Dolapo Omole in the men’s flyweight, Olaitan Olaore in the men’s heavyweight, and Cynthia Ogunsemilore in the women’s lightweight.
Ajagba in a special video post to the athletes on his Instagram page said, “Good luck to Team Nigeria, especially the boxing contingent. Bring home the gold, stay focused, and stay blessed, we got this.”
The 30-year-old has been Nigeria’s biggest export in boxing in the last decade. After his Rio Olympics appearance, the Ughelli-born pugilist turned pro in 2017 and has gone on to become the WBC Silver heavyweight title holder.
