₦airaland Forum

Funke Oshonaike loses 1st set to the Indian. 13-11 it ends...game still on

Satuday 28th July, Day 1 of Olympics.
Nigerians in action + time. All time in Nigerian time.
09:00- Funke Oshonaike in Women's Table Tennis single
09:00- Edem Offiong in Women's Table Tennis single. Both preliminary
09:45- Segun Toriola in Men's singles Prelim
15:15- Muideen Akanji in Men's Middleweight against Darren O'Neill of Ireland.
16:00- Aruna Quadri in Men's singles table tennis. Segun Toriola expected to join him if he makes it out of preliminaries.
If Funke and Edem progess, they will play at 11:00 for the First Round. I will expect Funke to progress easily. This is her 5th Olympic. Edem too can dig deep against the Egyptian.
Muideen Akanji is a typical Nigerian boxer. I expect him to beat the Irish. Should be a 100% day 1 for Nigeria.

Ghana....still mourning

so far, we dont see plenty wheelchair users. Wait for Nigeria!

otokx: Who will carry our flag? American nationals not American citizens meaning what.

Goodluck Jonathan's brother, Boltic! I think our ambassador Tafida is in the stadium. Not sure many Nigerians are present. Lets be patient

I am silently praying that #teamNigeria wears Agbada! I am tempted to guess we will wear Niger Delta outfit.

Here comes Greece....Eagerly waiting to see Boltic carry Nigeria's flag! What a moment it will be

Here comes Greece....Eagerly waiting to see Boltic carry Nigeria's flag! What a moment it will be

naptu2: The Team Nigeria ended its preparation for the ceremony on Thursday with the position of flag bearer changing hands. Instead of Usman Maryam, Boltic Sinivie – a 96kg freestyle wrestler-will carry Nigerian flag later today.

The change came after a meeting held Thursday afternoon at the Games Village. Deputy Chef de Mission for the country, Al-Hassan Yakmut, said the change became necessary after Maryam’s coach suggested that she was better off not playing that role in view of her early competition on Saturday following the opening event .

Yakmut said, “The opening ceremony is going to stretch into the early morning of Saturday and Maryam will be fighting soon after the ceremony. It is for strategic reasons. We don’t want to wear her out in the ceremonies.

“Boltic is not new to events like this. He has been around and has won several medals for Nigeria at international events’’ he said.

The change is limited to that of the flag bearer for the march past. Team Captain remains the same as the Beijing Olympics bronze medallist, Chika Chukwumerije.

http://www.punchng.com/sports/olympics-games-start-today/

dishonest man! Mariam Usman is not even on till next week. Anyways, I am eagerly waiting for the attire of Team Nigeria. I have seen the logo, and I am angry about it. I will wait for people to see and pass comment

Dis Guy: FFS is Ebele the main sponsor of this outing or this is just a money making


what event does the five time Olympian compete in? he/she should have been the flag bearer!

Segun Toriola is competing in his SIXTH olympics. Funke Oshonaike competing in her 5th! Both table tennis players. That is 24 and 20 years! They are veterans!

Our Ladies are ready. Nice kit! Team Nigeria Jor!

Meet Funke. Appearing in her 5th Olympic games. Also Aruna Quadri...

Olympics officially starts tomorrow. I will try to list activities involving Nigeria day by day. I will also (painfully) update as each Nigerian is eliminated.
Friday 27th August is the first Nigerian involvement. Opening ceremony. Flag was supposed to be carried by Mariam Usman, our brilliant female weightlifter(+75kg). However, for 'tactical reasons', Boltic (our flagship male wrestler, well ranked worldwide and olympian) will be carrying the flag. Boltic is from Bayelsa state...figure the rest.
Saturday 28th: Nigeria's first match. Funke Oshonaike will start at 9am Nigerian time against Shahsavari Neda from Iran. I do not know about the opponent, but I am confident Funke will make it. I predict 3-1. Edem Offiong will play against a tough Egyptian Meshref Dina at same time. Wish them both victory.
45 minutes later, Nigeria's finest table tennis player, Oluwasegun Toriola, will play against Ho Andre of Canada. Segun is good, but Asians are always tough, never mind they represent another country. Aruna Quadri will not take part in the qualifying round. He will feature in the 1st round match (4pm Nigerian time) against Carlos Machado of Spain. Good luck to all of them! Game ON!
Later on Saturday, Nigeria's Muideen Akanji will fight a yet unknown opponent in Boxing. Let us support our sportsmen and women with prayers. They need it. Anything is possible.

more pix...some stolen without permission.

SamAfrik: Nice preview.
How I wish Nigerian youths were involved in sport. our govt is letting us down wit poor facilities @ d stadiums (now drinking bars)
Its obvious our athletes are only relying on talents, so I will b content whichever way dy peform.

Nice spot! Football has rubbed off talents for other sports. Government also! Over 80% of our athletes are USA based/born. Hardly will any athlete attain world standard training/living in Nigeria. Blessing Okagbare got lucky with NIKE sponsorship. If not, she'll probably still be average.
Permit me to also 'salute' the brilliant Seun Adigun. Nigeria's female sprint hurdler. 2 heart surgeries, and she still competes hard. Rugged pretty lady.

On Saturday, Nigeria will feature in Table tennis and Boxing. Pls let us pray for Funke Oshonaike, Segun Toriola, Aruna Quadri and Edem. Segun Toriola ranked 53rd and Aruna Quadri ranked 61st. They will meet tougher opponents, but they have a good chance of progress. Funke Oshonaike ranked 63rd and Edem ranked 65..very low rankings, but God dey.
Muideen's opponent not yet confirmed in the boxing. Nigerian boxers are good punchers, but poor defensively. If he can guard his face, he may win. Also the coach needs to talk to him more. If he's leading after round 3, he should go defensive and not try some unnecesary show off.
Sunday is relatively quiet but I will keep you all abreast.

On Friday night, Nigeria will be lead by Mariam Usman carrying our flag. What an honour!
Team Captain is 'golden boy' Chukwumerije JNR.
Assistant team captain is Blessing Okagbare.

I will like to personally recognise the patriotism of Amaechi Morton. He was treated badly by Nigeria but he still chose Nigeria. He graduated last month, 3 days before his race at the African Champs. He surprised everyone by making his way down to win a gold for Nigeria. He is a very likeable character and I will ask his permission to put up his pix here

Nigerian Ladies to watch out for:
100m:
Blessing Okagbare PB(10.96) SB(10.96)
Gloria Asumnu PB(11.03)-set in 2008, SB(11.13), 200m- PB(22.70), SB(22.93). Oldest sprinter representing Nigeria. She is 27.
Lauretta Ozoh-not sure yet about her drugs saga. She might have been disqualified for testing positive.
Damola Osayomi- raw power! She can chase down a lion. But this season, I think she got her training wrong and did not peak towards the Olympics. Her SB remains 11.31 she ran in April at Mt. SACs. She can help us in 4x100m. I think she best fits 3rd leg, handing over to Okagbare.
200m
Christy Udoh: She dumped USA for Nigeria and ran a PB of 22.72 last month. She's young(21) and has a bright prospect
400m
Omolara Omotosho: She has improved on her PB a lot this season. She is young but fairly experienced. She ran at the last World Athletics Champs. SB=PB=51.28. She can go sub 51 if pushed harder in the olympics.
Regina George PB(51.11). Also a talent for the future. I will be happy with the exposure and a semi-final berth for them both. Our 4x400m relay is strong.

Interesting comments made about Okagbare. I will like to point out a few facts:
1. Olympic gold is not won by previous PB, it is won by the first to line on that final day. So, theoretically, any of the 8 finalists can win a gold medal.
2. Talking of form, Okagbare is the most in-form 100m runner going into the olympics. She has defeated the same people she will likely meet in the final.
3. An analysis of Okagbare's races will show you that she can surely dip into 10.80. In fact, I feel her coach can push her towards that. Blessing is coached by John Smith (the man who coached Ato Boldon, Maurice Green, and even Carmeliter Jeter). She is surely gaining a lot from this man.
When Okagbare started the season at the Mt SACs Relays, I was very doubtful of her new technique. She has since mastered it. IF Blessing can get the kind of start Fraser-Pryce gets, she will do a 10.70. I believe she will dip below 10.90 as situation demands. In sprint, you never know the day you will run fast. Little details really do count. I still maintain that Blessing will win a medal, probably even 3 medals (100m, LOng Jump and Relay).
As for the comparisons with the Jamaicans, I will respect them for what they have done, but thats about it. Jamaicans lack discipline in competition. While they have the talents, some of them cannot stand competition. Someone like Asafa Powell cannot chase down people. He prefers to always be in front. Even if someone posted 10.70 earlier this season, it doesnt mean they will repeat it on that night in London. Form really matters

wrong...Funke Oshonaike is 1st Nigerian on show. Women's singles is happening from 8:15am on saturday. I pray she gets a good draw. She's a veteran of sort.

Chika Chukwumerije is the 'golden boy' of team Nigeria. Rich dad, olympic medalist, and medal prospect. I just pray for unity in camp. Team Nigeria seems to have moved on under this new minister. He seems serious. I remember days when Nigerian relay sprinters used to intentionally drop batons. Nigeria's first appearance in London is going to be Muideen Akanji in the men's 75kg (middleweight) on saturday at around 3pm Nigerian time. I wish Muideen luck

hardeyincah: pls shed more light on dis Akinyemi Guy that qualified for canoeing/kayak..... What are his chances

I intend to go watch Johny. I sincerely wish him a miracle. The fact that he has chosen to represent Nigeria is a plus on its own. He has mixed well with the British team (favoured for medals). He is thrilled to be representing Nigeria. He defeated the Olympic Bronze medalist to get to this stage. He can get a podium finish. He believes in miracles. Why not?

GenBuhari: Blessing is capable of a medal. I can not see her getting the gold though

Okagbare will win a medal at this olympics if she doesnt get injured. Gold will be asking too much in 100m, but she can do it. I dont think she needs to run below 10.80 to win the gold. A good sub 11 will win it. Long Jump is her surest bet yet. If I were her coach, I will concentrate on the long jump. Her speed and technique is gold standard.
And thanks to Bayelsa state for producing world class wrestlers.

Oh lest I forget...Blessing Oborodudu (apparently dating coach Igali, himself a former olympic gold medalist). Blessing is good. She can get to semi...She won the African championship.

Segun Toriola punishes his opponent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl8ZVOf5qlU

Segun Toriola at last Olympic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKFYLb0fXFk

GenBuhari: what are our male athletes' prospects?

Almost ZERO! Apart from Amaechi Morton and Tosin Oke, I dont see any other male athlete likely to make it to the final of their events.
However, the male Basketball team might repeat the story of Atlanta 1996. Everything seems to be against them, but they have so far proven to be ready.

Male wrestler in person of Boltic (96kg freestyle) is a real prospect too.

Our male boxers are not that good.

Our best female boxer (Kehinde Obareh) missed out, she could have won a medal.

Table Tennis might be good, we have 4 veterans (Aruna Quadri, Segun Toriola, Funke Osonaike and Effiong). Segun Toriola can reach the singles Semi. Go on youtube to watch some of his best moments.

We have Mariam Usman who is a real contender in the women's +75Kg weightlifting, but Russians and Chinese dominate these sports.

Felix Ekpo in men's 77kg will also represent us. He may come top 5.

400m Hurdles; Ajoke Odumosu and Amaechi Morton will make the finals of the female and male events. Amaechi has a lot in his tank, so does Ajoke. I believe one of them can make the podium with hard work.

Long Jump: Blessing Okagbare will win a medal in Long Jump. Stanley Gbadeke may make the final in the men's event if he repeats what he did in Warri or does better

Triple Jump: Nigeria is not presenting any female triple jumper. Tosin Oke will make the final 12. Anything can happen in the final.

Heptathlon: We have a contender (Uhunoma Osazuwa), she will improve her PB and break Nigerian record. That will be enough achievement.

Relays: No men's relay team representing Nigeria (shame). Female 4x100 will win a medal if they pass baton round and make the best use of Damola Osayomi.

The 4x400 women will be in the final and in the top 5.

I have skipped the men sprinters because none will likely make the finals.

London Olympics has something about it that makes me have hope in Nigeria's performance. Atlanta 96 was our best till date. But then, I think London can surpass that. We currently have very few 'gold medal sureties' but we have folks that can replicate Atlanta magic. I will list the sports we're taking part in and my view of our chances.

Athletics
No doubt Nigerian women are our best chances at any medal in athletics.
Blessing Okagbare has underlined her credentials. She runs 10:96 less than 20 days to Olympics finals. If she stays injury free, she will be a medal contender. I believe she can win a gold medal in 100m if she can stay fit and focussed. She has the psychological advantage over the best athletes in her group. She has beaten them in recent times. I believe she will break the African record of Gloria Alozie( 10:90).

It is a shame Damola Osayomi is not in shape. Damola could have also made the finals in 100m. Gloria Asumnu is Nigeria's other female 100m entrant. She will make the semi-finals but will need to work harder to get into the final 8. It is a big ask, but she can do it.

In 200m, I am excited at the prospect of watching Christy Udoh. A very young talent who is developing fast and a threat for the future. Lauretta Ozoh is a threat too, but there hangs a big drug issue on her head and she may not feature in London.

400m is the face am particularly interested in. Nigeria will be presenting 2 very young ladies who are raw talents. Omolara Omotosho and Regina George. One of them will win a gold in the next olympic games if they get a good training regime before next olympics.

For now, I think Regina will make the final (with hard work) and Lara will make the semis. Abogunloko should be the Okagbare of 400m, but she needs coach Innocent Egbunike to do more work on her. 400m will spring the biggest surprise.

We have a great coach in Innocent, and I believe the ladies are improving. Regina George has erased her PB so many times in the last 2 months.

Like I said earlier, IF this trip was approved by Ajimobi, then that is his downfall. Civil servants in the state deserve to go on strike for this. He halted their salary increase and promised a prudent governance. Is this how prudence is defined? Take from the poor and sponsor the wives of friends on international trip?
Even more insulting is the title, aims and supposed objectives of the training. A look at the picture showed some of the training topics; British Etiquette was one of them! I will wait for the governor's response before further comment.

I am ashamed of this. I will be highly disappointed if Ajimobi has a hand in this. This is nonsense. A waste, and highly unnecessary. But is it not funny that in 2012, they still deceive people in Nigeria with 'oyinbo'. ACN fall my hand on this.