Nigeria Hits 29 Medals at Islamic Solidarity Games

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Team Nigeria delivered a thrilling performance on the penultimate day of the Islamic Solidarity Games, spearheaded by a sensational victory in the 4×400m mixed relay at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium.

The quartet of Gafaru Atanda Badmus, Anita Enaruna, Ezekiel Asuquo, and Patience Okon George stormed to gold in 3:16.27 seconds, igniting wild celebrations among ecstatic Nigerian supporters.

The triumph capped a fruitful evening that added two gold and two silver medals to Nigeria’s tally, pushing the nation to 29 medals overall—10 gold, 12 silver, and 7 bronze. Wrestling star Esther Kolawole set the tone with a dominant display to clinch gold in the Women’s Freestyle 62kg. Her teammate Damola Ojo battled hard but settled for silver after falling to Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Kyzy in the 76kg final.

Nigeria also secured another podium spot in the field events as Oyesade Olatoye powered her way to silver in the Women’s Shot Put, narrowly missing out on gold to Turkey’s Emel Dereli.

With the final day ahead, hopes remain high. Para-powerlifting icons Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Roland Ezuruike are set to compete, offering Nigeria a strong chance to close the Games on an emphatic, medal-rich finish.