The highly anticipated 2023 African Games commenced in Ghana several weeks ago, heralding the start of an exhilarating showcase of sporting prowess across 30 disciplines. Among these disciplines are eight Olympic qualifying events, 15 non-qualifying events, and seven demonstration sports, each offering a unique insight into the evolving landscape of athletics. From swimming to athletics, badminton to cycling, tennis to table tennis, wrestling to the triathlon, the African Games presented a platform for athletes to compete at the highest level and strive for excellence.
Including demonstration sports such as eSports, mixed martial arts, sambo, and scrabble provided spectators with a tantalizing glimpse into the future of sports entertainment, as envisioned by the African Union.
Two nations, Egypt and Nigeria, have emerged as frontrunners among the participating countries, dominating the medals table with their outstanding performances. Nigeria, in particular, showcased its athletic prowess across various sports, including arm wrestling, weightlifting, and Taekwondo, securing its position as the second-highest medal-winning country. Notably, Nigeria’s recent successes in athletics have further bolstered its standing in the games.
In a historic moment for Nigerian athletics, Chidi Okezie etched his name in the annals of history by becoming Nigeria’s first African Games 400m champion since the legendary Innocent Egbunike achieved the feat in 1987. Okezie’s awe-inspiring performance in the men’s 400m final saw him shattering records with a stunning Personal Best (PB) of 45.06s, ending Nigeria’s 37-year gold medal drought in the event.
Credit: Making of Champions
Team Nigeria continued to assert its dominance in athletics, with standout performances from athletes like Tobi Amusan. Amusan’s exceptional talent was on full display as she clinched her third consecutive gold medal in the women’s 100m Hurdles, etching her name in history as the first female athlete to achieve a three-peat in the event at the African Games.
Credit: Making of Champions
The men’s 4x100m relay team, comprising Israel Okon, Consider Ekanem, Alaba Akintola, and Usheoritse Itsekiri, emerged victorious against Ghana, securing the gold medal in a hard-fought battle. Despite facing formidable opponents and the pressure of defending champions, the Nigerian team delivered a stellar performance, with Itsekiri crossing the finish line in 38.41s to secure victory.
In the women’s 4x100m relay, Nigeria once again demonstrated its dominance, sweeping both the men’s and women’s categories. Led by Tobi Amusan, the team delivered a flawless performance, helping them finish with a time of 43.06s, narrowly missing out on the Games Record. Ese Brume soared to victory in the women’s long jump event, achieving a record-breaking leap of 6.92 meters to successfully defend her title in Accra.
Esther Elo Joseph’s impressive performance in the women’s 400m final also earned her a well-deserved silver medal, contributing to Nigeria’s impressive medal haul.
With 98 medals, including 37 gold, 26 silver, and 35 bronze, Nigeria is still placed second on the medals table with Egypt leading the charge with 94 gold, 43 silver, and 38 bronze.