The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has announced a list of 20 boxers who will compete in the final phase of trials ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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🔗 Join Our ChannelThe selected pugilists, 10 male and 10 female, earned their places after impressive performances at the National Boxing Week and Commonwealth Games Open Trials held in Lagos.
Female Boxers Headlined by Patricia Mbata
The women’s category is led by Patricia Mbata, an African Games gold medalist based in the United Kingdom.
Other female finalists include: Uddete Happiness – 51kg, Gafar Fathia – 51kg, Ajisola Kadijat – 57kg, Gbadamosi Aishat – 57kg, Sodipe Damilola – 60kg, Ismail Abibat – 60kg, Orakwe Blessing – 70kg, James Queen – 70+kg and Odoka Celestina – 70+kg
Diaspora Boxer Leads Men’s Division
The men’s category produced several standout performers, with diaspora boxer Kenneth Anigboro claiming the top spot in the 90kg division.
Other male finalists are: Ogunremi Michael – 55kg, Habeeb Qazeem – 55kg, Abdulrahmon Abdulwahab – 65kg, Salim Rildwan – 65kg, Folly Hassan – 70kg, Nwoha Precious – 70kg, Daniel Joshua – 80kg, Sharafadeen Fawas – 80kg and Abiodun Adesoji – 90kg
Final Screening for Commonwealth Games Team
The 20 finalists will be joined by another 20 boxers, mainly semifinalists from the open trials, to form a 40-athlete training pool.
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They will undergo intensive assessment during the final screening phase to determine the 10 boxers who will represent Nigeria in Glasgow.
The five-day trials in Lagos attracted 128 boxers, including 121 men and 27 women, competing across ten weight categories.
Federation Targets Medal Success
Vice President of the NBF, Omonlei Imadu, praised the determination of the athletes and officials, noting that the competitive nature of the trials reflects the quality of Nigerian boxing talent.
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Imadu also acknowledged the support of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Sports Commission, its chairman, Shehu Dikko, and Director General Bukola Olopade.
“We have moved focus now to the camping phase. We aim to ensure that the boxers are in perfect shape during and after the camping,” Imadu said.
“Our target is 10 medals, six gold, while others can come in silver and bronze. We are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow.”
Speaking at the trials, NSC Director General Olopade commended the federation for organising a successful national event and noted the increasing involvement of diaspora athletes in Nigerian boxing.
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“Firstly, I wish to congratulate the NBF board for a very successful National Trials and the boxers for their desire to bring glory to our nation,” Olopade said.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure Nigeria has a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excite me.”
Nigeria will be aiming to surpass its performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where nine fighters, led by captain Abdul-Afeez Osoba, won four medals.
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Those medals included a silver by Elizabeth Oshoba and bronze medals for Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe, and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, with boxing featuring 14 events, seven for men and seven for women.
