By Uzor Odigbo
Nigerian Sports wallowed in inactivity and could have scored nothing in the outgoing year, but for athletes in diaspora where majority of them harvested quality performance.
The year arguably was far from what a number of people expected. The novel coronavirus affected several industries across the country, including the sporting fraternity.
Despite the disruption of quite a few sporting schedules, a number of Nigerians in the country and diaspora performed exceptionally well in their various sporting disciplines.
From boxing, table tennis, Athletics to football, athletes have impacted and changed the face of sports in the year 2020.
Divine Oduduru
In Athletics, The Sapele born Divine Oduduru of Delta State was the first to run a record time early in the year and would have smashed the national and African record (9.86secs) held by compatriot Olusoji Fasuba. (9:85secs).Oduduru, having joined the elite class in 2019 made good effort in sustaining the performance.
Anthony Joshua
British born Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua definitely had a good 2020. Despite the defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, the two-time unified heavyweight champion bounced back, beating Kubarat Pulev early this month in a spiteful and vicious performance.
A mouth-watering bout with Tyson Fury could be on the books next year.
Asisat Oshoala
No doubt that Asisat Oshoala has become a huge sporting force in the country this year. Born in 1994, her impressive showing at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and subsequently with the Super Falcons in the African Women’s Championship in the same year set her up to be a rising star. She is currently a permanent fixture in Barcelona’s starting XI. Prior to that, she laced her boot for Liverpool and Chinese club Dalian Quanjian F.C.
Segun Toriola
She needs no introduction! The tennis veteran, until the coronavirus would have qualified for his eight Olympic games, becoming the first African to do so. Born in September 1974 in Ilorin, Toriola won multiple medals in international singles tournaments. Some of his important achievements are: 4 African Table Tennis Singles Championships (1998, 2002, 2004, 2006) and 2 Doubles Championships (1994,1992)A Commonwealth Singles Championship (2002) in Manchester (United Kingdom)A Commonwealth Doubles Championship and Singles Bronze Medal (2006) in Melbourne (Australia)4 All-Africa Games Singles Gold Medals (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007). 4 Doubles Gold Medals (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007) 1 Mixed Doubles Gold Medal (1999, with Bose Kaffo; they also won silver in 2003), and 3 Team Gold Medals (1995, 1999, 2003).
Victor Osimhen
2020 is one-year Osimhen won’t forget in a hurry. The young center forward grew up the ranks to become one of the most sought after African players. Several impressive stints across Europe landed him a big-money move to Napoli.He had continued to be a force in the line up of the Italian club.He however suffered a shoulder injury recently in a match between the super Eagles and Leone Stars of Sierra-Leone.
Wilfred Ndidi
Despite his injuries, Super Eagles defensive player, Wilfred Ndidi became an instrumental player for his club side, Leicester City.
Known for his dashing run, power, and long-range strikes, he starred in his side’s impressive victory over Mourihno’s Tottenham.
Speaking in recent interviews, Ndidi says he aims to have a similar football academy in Nigeria like the Aspire Academy in Qatar.
It has not been easy to pick out a local athlete that excelled in the out going year owing to constant postponement sport activities, especially the National Sports Festival which could have enabled home based athletes engage in out door sports activities for assessment. Meanwhile, the year 2020 may not serve as accurate period to access Nigerian sports Stars. However, those that excelled got the credit they rightly deserve.
Robert Lewandoski
However, sports personalities all over world also witnessed sterling performances in the year under review.Football Stars such as, Robert Lewandoski of Bayern Munich won for the first time the FIFA World Footballer of the year. After Lionel Messi and Ronaldo had dominated the scene most times in their football career. Lewandoski piloted Bayern Munich to win UEFA Champions League and Europa league aside the German football diadem.
Lewis Hamilton
Motor racing also threw up new Champion in Lewis Hamilton who equaled Michael Schumacher’s seven times title in the Fomular 1 car racing tournaments. All these achievement happened during the novel Covid era which remains remarkable in all Standards.
