Nigeria’s Zainab Adeshina Advances to Final in Women’s 51kg Boxing Category
Nigeria’s Zainab Adeshina has secured her spot in the final of the women’s 51kg boxing category at the ongoing Islamic Games in Saudi Arabia. Her victory over Algeria’s Fatiha Mansouri on Sunday marked a significant milestone in her journey, showcasing her resilience and determination.
Adeshina competed at The Promenade – Art Tower venue, where she emerged victorious with a 4–1 points decision after three intense rounds. The bout was a testament to her ability to perform under pressure, as she overcame a challenging start to secure the win.
In the red corner, Adeshina demonstrated remarkable composure and skill. Despite losing the first two rounds on most scorecards, she mounted a strong comeback in the third round, landing several clean combinations that visibly unsettled her opponent. This turning point proved crucial in shifting the momentum in her favor.
The referee, Chang Yu-Ling from Taiwan, played a role in the outcome as well. Mansouri received two warnings during the match, resulting in point deductions that ultimately influenced the judges’ decisions. These disciplinary issues added an extra layer of complexity to the fight.
According to the official bout report, four out of the five judges—representing Egypt, Iraq, Slovakia, and Australia—scored the fight in Adeshina’s favor. Only the Puerto Rican judge awarded the contest to Mansouri. Judge 5 from Australia scored all three rounds 10–9 for the Nigerian, giving her a clean 30–27 total. Other judges returned closer tallies of 28–27 in her favor.
Adeshina’s performance in the closing round was decisive, as the 21-year-old showcased superior footwork and control to dominate the exchanges. Her ability to adapt and respond to the challenges posed by her opponent highlighted her growing expertise in the ring.
Her journey to the final began with a quarter-final victory on Thursday, followed by a semi-final triumph on Sunday evening. Each step of the way, she displayed the qualities that have made her a standout boxer in the women’s 51kg category.
Adeshina is part of a two-member Nigerian boxing contingent led by coach Abayomi Oyeleye. Alongside her is Ridwan Raheem, who competes in the welterweight division. The team arrived in Saudi Arabia last Monday ahead of the sixth edition of the Islamic Games, which runs from November 7 to 21.
The Islamic Games provide a platform for athletes from Muslim-majority countries to showcase their talents and compete at a high level. For Adeshina, this event represents not only a chance to win gold but also an opportunity to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
As she prepares for Monday’s gold medal fight against Tunisia’s Rabia Topuz, Adeshina will be looking to maintain her focus and continue her impressive form. Her performance so far has been a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport.