NBF unveils boxers for final phase Of Commonwealth Games trials

NBF unveils boxers for final phase Of Commonwealth Games trials

The Nigeria Boxing Federation has announced a list of twenty (20) pugilists for the final phase of trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The outstanding pugilists, which consisted of 10 male and 10 female, secured their passage as finalists at the just concluded National Boxing Week and Commonwealth Games open Trials in Lagos.

The women’s category is headlined by African Games gold medalist Patricia Mbata based in the United Kingdom. Others are Uddete Happiness 51kg, Gafar Fathia 51kg, Ajisola Kadijat 57kg Gbadamosi Aishat 57 kg, and Sodipe Damilola 60 kg. Also on the list are Ismail Abibat 60kg, Orakwe Blessing 70kg, James Queen 70+kg, and Odoka Celestina 70+kg.

The men’s division also produced exciting fallout as diaspora boxer Kenneth Anigboro claimed the top spot in the 90kg class. Other male finalists are Ogunremi Michael 55kg, Habeeb Qazeem 55kg, and Abdulrahmon Abdulwahab 65kg.

Also on the lineup is Salim Rildwan 65kg, Folly Hassan 70kg, Nwoha Precious 70kg, Daniel Joshua 80kg, Sharafadeen Fawas 80kg, and Abiodun Adesoji 90kg.

They will be joined by 20 other boxers, some of whom are semifinalists at the open trials to complete a formidable list of 40 pugilists for the final phase of the screening process. It will be an intense and continuous assessment leading to the final selection of the 10 boxers to represent the country at Games in Glasgow Scotland.

The five-day open trials in Lagos drew 128 boxers, 121 men, and 27 women—competing across ten weight categories.

The Vice President, Nigeria Boxing Federation Hon. Omonlei Imadu commended the resilience of the athletes and officials, noting the intensity of the trials showed that the boxers will make podium finishes at the 2027 Commonwealth Games

Imadu praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to sports development, noting that the backing of the National Sports Commission under the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade has encouraged the Federation to ensure that Nigeria won medals at the Games.

He says: " We have moved focus now to the camping phase, our aim is to ensure that the boxers are in a perfect shape during and after the camping."

"Our target is 10 medals, 6 gold, while others can come in silver and bronze colors, we are truly determined to make this a reality in Glasgow." Imadu added.

In his remarks at the event on Friday, the NSC DG, Olopade expressed excitement with the success of the National Trials, noting that the presence of athletes from the diaspora is an indication of the repertoire of boxing talents for the country.

"Firstly, i wish to congratulate the NBF board for a very successful National Trials, the VP, Hon. Omonlei Imadu for showing a great deal of leadership in the absence of the President, and the boxers for their desire to bring glory to our nation. "

" We are doing everything possible to ensure that Nigeria have a successful outing at the Games, and the prospects in boxing truly excites me." Olopade said.

Nigeria will be hoping to improve on its 2022 Birmingham outing, where nine fighters led by captain Abdul-Afeez Osoba returned with four medals—one silver from Elizabeth Oshoba and three bronzes courtesy of Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe, and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games are scheduled for July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Center in Glasgow, Scotland, with boxing featuring across 14 events—seven men’s and seven women’s categories