Nojim Maiyegun, Nigeria's first Olympic medalist, passed away at 83. He made history by winning a bronze medal in boxing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, marking Nigeria's debut on the Olympic podium. Maiyegun's legacy in boxing continues to inspire, with his achievements celebrated nationwide.
Nojim Maiyegun, Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist, has passed away at the age of 83. His death was confirmed on Monday by Rudolfine F Soultan, a close confidante, through a heartfelt Facebook post. Maiyegun had been battling an illness for several months and passed away at his residence in Vienna, Austria.
Maiyegun made history in 1964 when he won a bronze medal in the light-heavyweight boxing category at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Nigerian to achieve such a feat. He was just 23 years old when he secured Nigeria's first Olympic medal by defeating Great Britain's William Robinson in an impressive time of one minute and 59 seconds during the second round. Despite losing to France's Joseph Gonzalez in the semi-finals, Maiyegun's efforts earned him and Poland’s Józef Grzesiak the bronze medal.
In 1966, Maiyegun continued to showcase his boxing talent by winning another bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica. His success in the ring led him to pursue a professional boxing career, which began in 1971. Throughout his career, he fought 16 times, winning 12 of those matches, with 10 victories coming by knockout.
Maiyegun’s legacy as a trailblazer for Nigerian sports remains significant, having paved the way for future generations of athletes. His achievements in boxing will be remembered as a key moment in Nigeria’s sporting history.
