Team Nigeria’s boxing campaign at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, suffered a fourth blow on Sunday, as Ajishola Kadijat became the latest Nigerian boxer eliminated from the tournament following a narrow split decision defeat in the women’s 54kg round of 16, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 19-year-old lost 3-2 to Wales’ Helen Jones at the SEC Centre in a closely contested bout that saw both fighters exchange impressive combinations, with the judges narrowly favouring the Welsh boxer, who advances to the quarter-finals.
Despite a spirited display, Kadijat could not do enough to keep her Commonwealth Games medal hopes alive, extending Nigeria’s struggles in the discipline after three other boxers had already been eliminated in the opening days of competition.
Kadijat’s exit followed the earlier departures of Ayomide Foly Hassan and Abdulramon Abdulwahab on Friday, and David Akintola on Saturday.
Hassan suffered a comprehensive 4-0 points defeat to Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai in the men’s 70kg Round of 32, while Akintola, regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects in the ring, was beaten 4-1 by Tanzania’s Yusef Lucasi Changalewa in the men’s 80kg Round of 32, struggling throughout the contest as the Tanzanian dictated the pace with sharper combinations and cleaner scoring punches. Related News Nigerians win seven medals at African Archery Champs Chelsea starting new season with good energy, says Alonso Flying Eagles face Ghana in WAFU B opener
