Team Nigeria’s boxing campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games suffered another setback on Sunday as Ajishola Kadijat was eliminated in the women’s 54kg event.
The 19-year-old lost 3-2 to Wales’ Helen Jones in the round of 16 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.
Kadijat Falls in Closely Contested Bout
Kadijat produced a determined performance and matched her opponent throughout the contest. However, the judges awarded a split-decision victory to Jones, who progressed to the quarter-finals.
The defeat ended Kadijat’s hopes of winning a medal and added to Nigeria’s disappointing start in the boxing competition.
Four Nigerian Boxers Eliminated
Kadijat became the fourth Nigerian boxer to exit the tournament.
Her elimination followed the earlier defeats of Ayomide Foly Hassan, Abdulramon Abdulwahab and David Akintola.
Hassan lost 4-0 on points to Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai in the men’s 70kg round of 32.
Meanwhile, Akintola suffered a 4-1 defeat to Tanzania’s Yusef Lucasi Changalewa in the men’s 80kg round of 32 after struggling to cope with his opponent’s attacking display.
With four of Nigeria’s six boxers already out of the competition, attention has now turned to the country’s two remaining fighters.
Remaining Boxers Face Quarter-Final Tests
Patricia Mbata will take on England’s Mary Smith in the women’s 75kg quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Blessing Orakwe will face Australia’s Lekeisha Pergoliti in the women’s 70kg quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Both fighters must win to keep Nigeria’s hopes of securing a boxing medal alive.
Although Team Nigeria has already won medals in para powerlifting, boxing is yet to deliver success in Glasgow.
The country’s remaining boxers will now aim to avoid a medal-less finish in one of Nigeria’s traditionally strongest sports at the Commonwealth Games.
