Mary Ekpo Leads Team Nigeria's Gold Medal Quest in Boxing

Team Nigeria boxing coach Mary Ekpo is optimistic about securing multiple gold medals at the African Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. Following a challenging start with five early defeats, the coaching staff intervened to rebuild the boxers' confidence, leading to improved performances.

Five Nigerian boxers (Ridwan Raheem, Ajishola Khadijat, Precious Anine, Blessing Orakwe, and Patricia Mbata) have advanced to the finals, providing Nigeria with five opportunities to win gold. Ekpo expressed her disappointment about the initial struggles but noted that the team's response has been encouraging.

She emphasized the importance of international exposure for Nigerian boxers, stating that regular participation in major competitions is crucial for skill development and competitiveness. The championships began on October 15 and are set to conclude on October 28, with Nigeria now focused on converting its final appearances into gold medals.