Nigerian Cyclist Ukpeseraye Retires at 26 After Success

Ukpeseraye, Nigeria's first female Olympic cyclist, has announced her retirement from professional cycling at the age of 26. This decision marks the end of a notable career that included being a former African champion.

In her announcement, she expressed a deep sense of pride and peace regarding her achievements and the memories made throughout her career. Ukpeseraye represented Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics, competing in the women's road race, although she did not finish.

She had registered for the event and later participated in two track events on short notice, which drew widespread attention. Notably, she borrowed a bike from the German team to compete due to equipment shortages.

Throughout her career, Ukpeseraye achieved significant success, winning multiple gold medals at the African Track Cycling Championships and the 2023 African Road Championship. She also won gold and silver at the African Cup event in Asmara, Eritrea, and delivered remarkable performances at national sporting festivals, winning eight gold medals in 2022.