The Olympics is arguably the most eagerly anticipated sporting fiestas across the globe. The reason is not far fetched.
The Olympics takes place once in every four years and because of this it generates a lot of frenzy among those competing at the Games and the spectators.
After a long wait from the magnificent London 2012 Olympics, Rio 2016 Games is underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Although the opening ceremony that will officially declare open the Games is a couple of hours away, but some sports like football, rugby and golf have already started generation excitements.
Team Nigeria will be participating in ten sports at the Games, namely, Athletics, Boxing, Football, Basketball, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Boxing, Swimming, Rowling and Canoeing.
Without a doubt, athletics and football remain Nigeria’s chances of winning medals of any colour in Rio de Janeiro. One cannot also rule out the possibility of Team Nigeria springing surprises in sports like weightlifting and who knows, boxing.
However, below are five sports Team Nigeria would find it tough to win medal in Brazil:
- Basketball
The D’Tigers will be making their second participation at the Olympics in Rio after they stunned the world four years ago when they qualified for the London Games in 2012.
The then coach Ayo Bakare team against all odds defeated the likes of Lithuania, Greece and Dominican Republic at the Olympic qualifier in Venezuela to book ticket for the London Games. However, the team could not qualify from their group despite beating fellow Africans Tunisia.
With the absence of players like Tony Skinn and Al-Farouk Aminu in the D’Tigers roster in Rio, it will be a tall order for anyone to expect the team currently coach by Will Voigt to win a medal in Brazil.
- Canoeing
Nigeria has one canoeist in the men’s K-1 class, Jonathan Akinyemi. He qualified by obtaining a top finish at the 2015 African Canoe Slalom Championships in Sagana, Kenya. Akinyemi was in London for the 2012 Games but he could not mount the podium. One can only hope for him to qualify for the next round in Rio.
- Rowing
Nigeria has qualified one boat in the women’s single sculls for the Games. Her name is Chierika Ukogu. One can only hope Chierika would get enough experience at the Games.
- Swimming
Nigeria received a Universality invitation from FINA to send two swimmers (one male and one female) to the Olympics, signifying its return to the sport after an eight-year hiatus. The swimmers are Samson Opuakpo in the Men’s 50m freestyle and Rechael Tonjor in the Women’s 100m breaststroke. The best the country can expect from the duo is for them to gather experience at the top stage.
- Table Tennis
Nigeria has entered four athletes into the table tennis competition at the Games. Olympic veterans Quadri Aruna and Olufunke Oshonaike secured places each in the men’s and women’s singles by virtue of a top four finish at the 2015 All-Africa Games. Meanwhile, Segun Toriola and Offiong Edem took the remaining spots on the Nigerian team by virtue of their top 2 finish respectively at the African Qualification Tournament in Khartoum, Sudan. For Toriola, he has become the fourth table tennis player and the first ever African athlete to appear in seven editions of the Summer Olympic Games. Going by the current form of Nigeria’s rave of the moment, Aruna, one can hope he gets to the quarter final in Rio.
