Nigeria Selects 10 Boxers for 2026 Commonwealth Games

Nigeria has finalized its boxing team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled from July 24 to August 1 in Glasgow, selecting 10 boxers after a rigorous national trial held at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex in Lagos. The trials saw 128 boxers, comprising 121 men and 27 women, compete across 10 weight categories.

Notable performances included 2023 African Games gold medalist Patricia Mbata, who narrowly missed qualifying for the 2024 Olympics but defeated national champion Bless Orakw 5-0 in the women's 70kg final. Other female boxers who secured spots include Happi Udoett, Fathia Gafar, Kadijat Ajibola, Damilola Sodip, and Celestin Edoka.

In the men's division, Kenneth Anigboro, Abiodun Adesoja, Michael Ogunremi, Habeeb Owazeem, and Wahab Abdulrahman also qualified. NBF Technical Director Babatunde Laguda praised the athletes' resilience during the trials.

The Nigerian team aims to improve on its 2022 Birmingham performance, where they returned with four medals.