Nigeria’s Rukayat Suleimon has written her name in the history books after becoming the first female blind sambist in the world to win a gold medal at the World Sambo Cup in Yerevan, Armenia.

Suleimon achieved the landmark feat in the women’s –54 kg category, overcoming top contenders from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan in a remarkable run that underscored her resilience and skill.

Making her international debut, the Lagos State judo champion announced herself on the global stage with a hard-fought 12–10 victory over Kazakhstan’s Abdinazarova Elnara in her opening bout. She then produced a commanding performance in the final, defeating Uzbekistan’s Ortikova Charos 13–2 after recovering from an early scare.

Her triumph not only makes her the first Nigerian and African to win gold at an international sambo event, but also the first female blind athlete globally to achieve such a milestone in the sport.

Suleimon was part of a pioneering group of female blind sambists competing at the tournament organised by the International Sambo Federation (FIAS), alongside fellow Nigerian Elizabeth Aseso, who featured in the women’s -59kg category but narrowly missed out on a podium finish.

Speaking after her historic victory, Suleimon expressed gratitude for the support she received and reflected on the challenges of her debut appearance.

“I promised I would not return to Nigeria empty-handed, and I thank God I achieved my dream of winning gold. It was not easy—I was nervous in each fight since it was my first international tournament. But I conquered my fear and gave my best,” she said. “I am excited and grateful to God, my coach, and Mr. Sherif Hammed for making this possible. I hope to compete more internationally and look forward to the World Championships in November.”

Her achievement continues Nigeria’s steady rise in blind sambo. In 2024, Samuel Oladele Kekere became the first Nigerian and African to compete in the category at the World Cup, while Sodiq Ajibade secured a bronze medal in 2025.

Vice President of the Nigeria Sambo Association, Sherif Hammed, described Suleimon’s victory as a watershed moment for the country and the continent.

“For Nigeria to produce the first blind sambist to win gold at the World Cup is humbling. It is not just a victory for Nigeria but for Africa. This performance proves that with the right support, Nigeria can consistently compete at the highest level,” he said. “It sends a strong message that disability is not inability and reinforces our mission to create opportunities for visually impaired athletes to excel and represent Africa on the world stage.”

The World Sambo Cup, held at the Gazprom Educational-Sports Complex in Armenia, featured elite competitors from around the world across Sport Sambo, Combat Sambo, and Blind Sambo categories. Beyond the medals, the event also served to strengthen international sporting ties, improve global rankings, and advance the sport’s push for Olympic recognition.

Suleimon’s gold medal now stands as a defining moment for Nigeria in the sport, further elevating the country’s growing reputation in international sambo.

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Otan Ayegbaju, the historic town in Osun State, will, from Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17 host Nigeria’s top table tennis stars for the 6th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament, with a total prize purse of ₦5 million at stake.

The championship, established in honour of the late Michael and Felicia Alabi—parents of Osun State Table Tennis Association chairman, Ayodeji Alabi—has grown into one of the country’s most prominent grassroots and elite table tennis competitions.

This year’s edition is expected to be the biggest yet, attracting over 300 players from across Nigeria, as Otan Ayegbaju transforms into a bustling centre of sporting activity.

Defending men’s singles champion, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai of Kwara State, will headline the competition as he seeks to retain his title. However, the absence of national champion Matthew Kuti and Muiz Adegoke—both preparing for the upcoming ITTF World Championships in London—has opened up the field, setting the stage for potential new champions to emerge.

A total of 14 events will be contested, spanning singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and veterans categories across U-15, men’s, and women’s divisions. The increase in prize money from ₦3.5 million to ₦5 million underscores the growing stature of the tournament.

Tournament referee John Peters described participation as “overwhelming,” noting a significant rise in youth involvement.

“It has been impressive, particularly with the huge participation across all events. I am thrilled to see more youngsters competing this year because they are the future of the sport,” Peters said. “This tournament is unique—the sponsor ensures all participants are well catered for, which motivates teams to return annually. Given the rising talent, we may witness new champions in several categories.”

The competition is organised by the Osun State Table Tennis Association under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, with support from the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation. Matches will be held at the newly constructed Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju.

In the women’s category, defending champion Hope Udoaka of Cross River State will also be in focus as she aims to maintain her dominance in what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament.

With a blend of established stars and emerging talents, the 2026 edition is poised to further cement its status as a key platform for developing Nigeria’s next generation of table tennis champions.

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Egyptian teenage prodigy Hana Goda has etched her name into African sporting history after becoming the first African female player to reach the quarterfinals of the prestigious ITTF World Cup.

Goda’s landmark achievement, recorded on Friday in Macao, China, also saw her equal the feat set by Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, who became the first African to reach the last eight of the competition in 2014.

It has taken 12 years for Africa to produce another World Cup quarterfinalist, but Goda’s accomplishment carries even greater significance as she becomes both the first Egyptian and the first African woman to reach this stage of the tournament.

The 16-year-old announced her arrival in style during the group phase, dominating Group 14 with commanding 3-0 victories over Macao’s Leong On Na and Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching to advance to the knockout rounds.

Her defining moment came in a thrilling round-of-16 clash against France’s Jia Nan Yuan. After narrowly losing the opening game 11-9, Goda showed remarkable composure to fight back and level the contest before taking the lead. The experienced French opponent responded to push the match into a decisive seventh game.

In a dramatic finale, Goda trailed 7-10 but mounted a stunning comeback, saving match points to win 13-11 and secure a historic victory. Overcome with emotion, she collapsed to the floor in celebration after sealing her place in the quarterfinals.

“It is a joy and feeling that I can’t describe,” Goda said after the match. “It was a very strong match… we arrived at 3-3, and in the last game I was down 7-10 but fought back to win 13-11. Our Lord is generous.”

She also paid tribute to her coach, Hisham Ismail, for his unwavering belief throughout the contest.

Goda’s breakthrough represents a significant milestone for African table tennis, particularly for women’s participation in the sport, and signals a promising future for the continent on the global stage.

Her next challenge, however, will be formidable, as she is set to face world No. 1 Sun Yingsha of China in the quarterfinals.

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