Sports - December 8, 2023

Athletics & Achievement: Nigerian Athletes to Watch in 2024

Joy Onuorah December 8, 2023

176

With incredible talent, inspiring work ethic, and groundbreaking accomplishments, Nigerian athletes dominated sports headlines in 2023.

As we enter 2024, Nigeria’s sports stars seem poised to reach even greater heights across various athletic pursuits.

From track & field to basketball and beyond, these ambitious athletes exemplify how sports can uplift individuals, communities and even nations.

Let’s take a look at 5 trailblazing Nigerian athletes set to raise the bar in 2024 while blazing trails for future generations:

Tobi Amusan

After smashing the women’s 100m hurdles world record in 2022 with a blazing time of 12.12 seconds, Amusan established herself as the fastest female hurdler ever.

Her gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships capped off a stellar year.

Amusan opted out of the 2023 Commonwealth Games to focus her season more selectively on Diamond League events.

After taking gold in several meets, she seems poised for another strong medal push at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Ese Brume

Few could leap as high or as far as Ese Brume in 2023 when she clinched gold at both the Commonwealth Games and African Championships.

With a personal best of 7.17m, Brume holds the Nigerian and African records for the women’s long jump. Her incredible airtime and dynamism translate to podium performances.

Chioma Onyekwere

After a standout 2022-2023 season with the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, forward Chioma Onyekwere is set to level up and lead the rookie class in 2024. Expect her to be a fierce presence in the paint, leading the new class in hustle and determination this coming season.

Enoch Adegoke

In 2023, Adegoke blazed his way to Commonwealth and African 100m titles and helped Nigeria secure relay gold.

With sub 10-second speed, Adegoke smoked the competition as he aims for World Championship hardware in 2024.

Odunayo Adekuoroye

Reigning three-time Commonwealth wrestling gold medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye makes winning global matches look effortless with her quickness and power.

Having also captured World and African titles, she looks to add more gold to her 2024 tally.

As these athletic heavyweights make their mark globally with elite performances, they inspire Nigeria’s youth to elevate their goals and realize no dream is impossible to achieve.

We can’t wait to see the country’s sports heroes break more records and snag more gold in 2024!