Rukayat Suleimon Wins Gold at World Sambo Cup

Rukayat Suleimon has etched her name in sports history by becoming Nigeria's first female blind sambist to win a gold medal at the World Sambo Cup held in Yerevan, Armenia. Competing in the women's 54kg category, Suleimon, alongside her compatriot Elizabeth Aseso, was part of a pioneering group of female sambists at the international tournament organized by the International Sambo Federation.

Suleimon faced tough competition, defeating Kazakhstan's Abdinazarova Elnara with a narrow 12-10 victory in her opening bout and overcoming an early scare in the final against Uzbekistan's highly-rated Ortikova Charo, winning decisively 13-2. This victory marks the first gold medal for Nigeria and Africa in an international sambo event.

Suleimon's achievement has been hailed by the Nigeria Sambo Association, with Vice Chairman Sherif Ham acknowledging the significance of this win for disabled athletes. Suleimon expressed gratitude for her success and aims to continue representing Nigeria on the global stage.