As Nigeria is still reeling from its medal-less performance at the Paris Olympic Games, the country mourns the loss of its first-ever Olympic medalist, Nojeem Maiyegun, who passed away on Monday at the age of 83.
Maiyegun’s death was announced by his Austrian partner, Rudolfine Soultan (Funmilayo), through a poignant Facebook post. “My Jimylein (Jimmy) is dead. I can’t say more right now because it’s just horrible. In two days, we would have been together for 17 years,” she wrote.
Since the announcement, tributes have been pouring in from around the world for the Nigerian sporting legend.
Read Also: BREAKING: NFF Appoints German Tactician, Bruno Labbadia As New Coach For Super Eagles
Born on February 17, 1941, in the Bamgbose area of Lagos Island, Lagos State, Maiyegun began boxing at the age of 16.
His interest in the sport was sparked by an altercation with a bully at a public tap in Bamgbose. He trained at Bonny Ade Boxing Gym for six months and later sought revenge against his tormentor.
Maiyegun’s first international fight was against Ghana’s Joe Blackey in Accra in 1960, which he won. He made history as Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist by securing a bronze medal in the men’s light middleweight (71kg) category at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
In addition to his Olympic success, Maiyegun earned a bronze medal at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, and garnered several other accolades while representing Nigeria.
Known as “Omo Oloja” among boxing enthusiasts, Maiyegun moved to Austria after turning professional. His dream of winning a world title was cut short by blindness.
Nevertheless, he had a brief professional career from 1971 to 1973, with a record of 12 wins (including ten knockouts) and four losses.
Despite his short professional career, Maiyegun’s legacy as a trailblazing Nigerian athlete remains enduring.
