Team Nigeria Dominates ANOCA Zone III Games, Clinches 12 Gold Medals

Team Nigeria experienced a gold rush on Thursday at the ongoing ANOCA ZONE III Games in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, following a dominant performance in both weightlifting and badminton.

Nigeria clinched a remarkable total of 12 gold medals, alongside 1 silver and 1 bronze, to conclude its campaign at the regional competition.

In weightlifting, the three Nigerian athletes delivered an outstanding performance. Emmanuel Inakedor, the current African Champion in the 71kg category, led the way, swiftly defeating his opponents in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total events.

Ibrahim Rabiu, who also serves as the team’s coach in the 79kg category, similarly claimed all three available gold medals in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total events.

Completing the trio of triumphs, Adeyemi Vincent, another African Champion competing in the 110kg category, secured three gold medals in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total events.

In badminton, Team Nigeria continued its success, adding 3 more gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze to the 2 gold medals won on Tuesday in the men’s and women’s doubles events.

Shehu Aliyu triumphed over Fano Dosh from the Benin Republic in the men’s singles, winning decisively 2-0, while Joseph Abel secured a bronze medal. The women’s singles featured an all-Nigeria final, where Dorcas Adedokan defeated Deborah Ukeh to claim the gold medal.

In the mixed doubles, Shehu Aliyu and Deborah Ukeh overcame the host nation Burkina Faso in the semi-finals, before defeating fellow compatriots Joseph Abel and Dorcas Adedokan to win gold in the final.

By the conclusion of Thursday’s events, Team Nigeria had amassed a total of 12 gold medals, 1 silver, and 1 bronze, showcasing its clear dominance in the region.