Multiple National Judo Champion, Franca Audu (-52kg) has become the 1st female Judoka to win three bronze medals at four African Games.
Audu won bronze medals for Nigeria at the 2011 All African Games in Maputo, 2015 All African Games in Congo and 2019 African Games in Ghana while finishing fifth position at the 2007 All African Games in Algiers.
An elated Franca Audu told www.aclsports.com that returning to win a bronze medal for Nigeria 9 years after is a big deal for her.
Audu revealed that she lost her semifinals due to an injury adding that she was motivated by the cheering of her teammates from the stands.
The 5 times National Sports Festival gold medallist said, “I am super excited about winning my third bronze medal in four (All) African Games because I think God loves me so much. After the 2015 All African Games in Congo where I won a bronze medal, I could not make it to Morocco four years later. Coming back 9 years later to win a bronze medal is huge for me, I thank God for his mercies.
“I feel so excited winning the only medal for Nigeria though it was a tough one. I lost in my semifinals due to an injury but I did not give up.
“My bronze fight was a tough one; I was almost giving up then I remembered all the suffering I passed through in camp, preparing for the Games from August 2023 and I heard the encouragement from my teammates at the stands. I did not want to disappoint the nation, I had to struggle to the end”.
