...Golden relay glory, field power, and praise from a top athletics analyst Uzor Odigbo
By Maxwell Kumoye
Team Nigeria athletics delivered another statement performance on the global stage, smashing expectations at the ISSA Games 2025 in Riyadh with a thrilling mix of speed, strength, and championship mentality.
The night belonged first to the Mixed 4x400m Relay Team, who tore through the track with authority to claim gold ahead of Bahrain and Türkiye.
From the explosive start to the electric anchor leg, Nigeria showed a blend of precision, chemistry, and bravery that left the crowd roaring. It wasn’t just a win; it was a masterclass.
The quartet of Gafari Badmus, Anita Itohan Enaruna, Ezekiel Asuquo, and Patience Okon-George delivered the precious medal. In a brilliant Season’s Best of 3:16.27.
On the field, Adetola Olatoye powered her way to a well-earned silver in the women’s shot put, standing tall beside Turkey’s Emel Valley - gold and Bahrain’s Noora Jasim - bronze.
Olatoye’s throw was a reminder of Nigeria’s growing presence in strength events, delivering yet another podium for the green-and-white.
But perhaps the most insightful perspective of the night came from respected athletics analyst Uzor Odigbo, who didn’t hold back in praising Team Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s athletes have demonstrated a feat that no one can controvert. Our relay teams proved to be consistent, and I’m moved to ask: will the AFN finally focus more on strengthening the relay teams rather than depending heavily on individual events?
"Check the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Africa Games… it has always been the relays that come to the rescue.
Look at Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, they all have their traditional strengths. Nigeria’s own tradition may just be the relays.”
Odigbo’s words echo a long-standing pattern: when the pressure peaks, Nigeria’s relay teams deliver, whether on regional, continental, or global platforms. Riyadh 2025 is just the latest chapter in that story.
With a gold-silver sweep and expert voices calling for strategic focus, Team Nigeria is not only winning medals, they’re shaping conversations about the nation’s future in athletics.
Riyadh was loud. Nigeria was louder. The world is watching. The momentum is real.
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