Nigeria’s Simisola Balogun has qualified for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Buenos Aires from October 6th to October 18th. The 2018 YOG would be the third edition of the Summer Youth Olympics.
Balogun in an electrifying final, came from a 4-0 deficit to defeat Cameroon’s Natasha Nabaina 4-5 in the female 65kg cadet event at the ongoing African Wrestling Championships in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
An elated Balogun who could not hide her feelings told aclsports.com that it was a dream come true winning her first Gold medal in an international tournament.
“I went into the final with an injury which almost cost me the bout which Natasha took advantage of. When I looked at the scoreboard and saw 4-0 points, what kept ringing on my mind was not to disappoint either my coach or country Nigeria. With determination, I came from behind to win 4-5 points”.
“I got overexcited when the news broke I’ll be representing Nigeria at the Youth Olympics Games in spite my injury” she said.
Balogun said, “The Youth Olympics Games is eight months from now, I will not be carried away by the feat achieved at the African championships. My coach has a lot of work to do as regards training and I promise not to let him down”.
Balogun is a student of CAC Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State.
