By Milcah Tanimu
In a challenging day for Team Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Christianah Ogunsanya and Edose Ibadin encountered significant setbacks in their respective events on August 7, 2024.
Christianah Ogunsanya faced a tough loss in the women’s freestyle 53kg wrestling event. Ogunsanya, who was competing for a place in the gold medal match, was defeated by Mongolia’s Khulan Batkhuyag in the second round. Consequently, Ogunsanya will now aim for a bronze medal in the Repechage round.
In athletics, Edose Ibadin competed in the men’s 800m but finished 6th in heat 2. The race was clinched by France’s Gabriel Tual with a time of 1:45.13. Ireland’s Mark English secured second place, while Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela came in third with a time of 1:45.58. Ibadin will also have a chance to advance to the semi-finals through the Repechage round.
As the Olympics approach their final days, no Nigerian athlete has yet secured a medal. The United States leads the medals table with 86 medals, followed by China with 60, and Australia with 36. France, the host nation, is in fourth place with 48 medals.
Current Top Ten Medals Table as of August 7, 2024:
1. United States – 24 Gold, 31 Silver, 31 Bronze, Total 86
2. China– 22 Gold, 22 Silver, 16 Bronze, Total 60
3. Australia – 14 Gold, 12 Silver, 10 Bronze, Total 36
4. France – 13 Gold, 16 Silver, 19 Bronze, Total 48
5. Great Britain – 12 Gold, 15 Silver, 19 Bronze, Total 46
6. Korea – 11 Gold, 8 Silver, 7 Bronze, Total 26
7. Japan – 11 Gold, 6 Silver, 12 Bronze, Total 29
8. Italy – 9 Gold, 10 Silver, 7 Bronze, Total 26
9. Netherlands – 9 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze, Total 20
10. Germany – 8 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze, Total 17