Nigeria dominates Africa’s First Run Archery tourney

Nigeria delivered a commanding performance at the first-ever Run Archery Tournament in Africa, making a bold statement on the continental stage and showcasing the nation’s growing strength in Ivory Coast.

The historic competition, held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville, Abidjan, on November 15 and 16, brought together athletes from across West Africa for a high-energy display of endurance, precision and speed.

Nigeria’s representatives from Zen Archery Club, Lagos, emerged as the standout performers of the weekend, sweeping gold medals in both individual and team events.

In the Individual Sprint, Emmanuel Oyeleke executed a stunning performance, combining explosive running with razor-sharp accuracy to claim the gold medal for Nigeria. Close behind him was teammate Tola Adebayo-Lateef, who delivered an equally impressive race to secure the silver medal.

Obo Cedric of Ivory Coast completed the podium with a strong finish, taking the bronze medal for the host nation.

Nigeria’s success continued in the Team Relay Sprint, where Oyeleke and Tola teamed up to deliver a flawless and coordinated performance, outrunning and outshooting their rivals to bring home another gold medal for Nigeria.

Their synergy, discipline, and competitive spirit were undeniable as they powered through the course with precision.

This remarkable outing signals a major milestone, as the Abidjan tournament marks the first official Run Archery event ever held on African soil. With this achievement, Nigeria has positioned itself as a pioneering force in the sport’s development on the continent.

Speaking after the races, Oyeleke expressed pride and gratitude.

“This is a historic moment not just for us, but for Nigeria and African archery. We’re honoured to carry the flag and show what is possible. We thank the organisers, the Ivorian Archery Federation, for the opportunity, we thank World Archery and the facilitators of the seminar and competition, we have learnt a lot,” he said.

Run Archery, a dynamic hybrid sport combining competitive running with archery marksmanship, is rapidly expanding globally, and Nigeria’s medal sweep in Abidjan highlights the country’s potential to lead in Africa.