Mistura Idowu claimed Lagos State’s first boxing gold medal on Thursday at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.
Idowu had on Tuesday nearly lost the chance of winning the gold medal in the female 48kg category after the judges declared she had lost the semi-final clash against her opponent, before a protest forced a rematch on Wednesday, which she won to qualify for Thursday’s final.
Idowu said she was almost in tears after she heard she had lost.
“I was not okay, I wanted to cry, I was not happy at all because I had promised my mum, my dad and everyone that supported me that I was going to come back with a gold medal, so, when I heard that I had lost, I was very sad,” she said.
The newly minted gold medallist could not contain her joy, however, after she was named winner.
“Now, I feel so happy and amazed, the real winner has taken the gold medal now. I can’t believe my journey, because in 2020, I went for the National Youth Games and I won a gold medal, now I have won in the sports festival and I am really happy. My next target is to make it to the National Trials,” the 16-year-old said.
Idowu’s proud father and coach, Monsuru Idowu, encouraged her to remain consistent.
“I am really happy and I thank God for this achievement. I hope for more in the future. The step forward now is to ensure she can be better than those who are ahead of her now,” he said.
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