Adebayo Taiwo (middle) after his fight
While Lagos State is regarded as Nigeria’s powerhouse in the senior level of boxing, so also is the state dictating the pace in the junior level.
It’s not surprising however that three of Team Lagos boxers have made their ways to the finals of their respective categories in the boxing events of the ongoing National Youth Games at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, north central Nigeria.
In the semi final bouts decided Saturday afternoon, all the three boxers made mince meats of their opponents in easy wins fights.
It was Jennifer Edehgba who opened the doors of victories for Team Lagos as she beat Gombe’s Idowu Mistura in an unanimous judges decision to qualify for the final in the 44kg female category.
“I trained very well before coming to Ilorin so I had no fear of what I would get here. And having qualified for the final, I see nothing stopping me from winning the gold medal to celebrate my birthday coming up on 26th of September,” said Edehgba, a SS2 student of Femzadey Secondary School, Ijede, Lagos.
Adedeji Rhoda eyes boxing gold
Adedeji Rhoda also won her fight against Bello Fathia from Borno State through judges unanimous decision, and after the fight, she told P.M
.EXPRESS that she already saw herself winning the gold medal of the 46kg category.
“I watched the last fight of Fathia on Friday and I discovered that she had one weakness which is fear. Having known this, I instilled that fear in her to first demoralised her before beating her.
My expectation in the final on Sunday is gold as usual,” said the SS2 student of Jagunmolu Girls School, Bariga, Lagos.
The only boy in the team, Adebayo Taiwo, who schools at Eleke Community Junior High School in Ikorodu was too much for his opponent, Tijani Isaa from Kwara State. He too had an easy ride to the final with a promise to deliver his 46kg gold for Team Lagos.
Jennifer Edehgba (middle) celebrates with officials after her bout.