Gymnastics Queen, Adeela Adedeji clinches 2 gold 2 silver medals

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

Adeela Adedeji, a Kwara State born gymnast has made the country proud by clinching two Gold and two Silver in the just concluded 25th Edition of the Gymstar International Club World Championship In Malta.

This is in fulfillment of the promise the gymnastics Queen made to her state and Nigeria at the African Junior Gymnastics club championship in Pretoria South Africa, 2022 where she won a silver medal.

Adeela apologized for winning a silver medal and pledged to work harder in the next international event to make her state and the country proud with Gold medals.

According to the Head coach and Founder of Tony International Gymnastics (TIG) club, Tony Asuquo, a total of eight Nigerian gymnasts between the ages of five and 11 featured in the World Club Gymnastics Championship from July 6 to 18.

The elated champion,who spoke through phone interview said it was an amazing experience to be in the team that represented her country to compete with other twelve countries.

The 2022 little Miss TIG, stayed back in London to train some more for the coming events in August and another in Portugal towards the end of the year. She prayed the government to upgrade their equipment to international standard.

She commended the organizers of the competition, her team leader, coaches and her teammates for being nice, helpful and cooperative.

“It was an amazing experience and I feel elated. By the special grace of God, with the help of my amazing coaches, Tony, Goodnews and coach Josh, not forgetting my supportive parents, I was able to fulfill my promise to the country.

“Everything went very smoothly I must say. The only challenges we faced was that of equipments. They were kind of different from what we have at home. I want our equipment to be upgraded to that standard.

“I am on vacation as much as I am training because, I will be attending the gymnastics summer camp in August and later will have another competition coming up towards the end of the year in Portugal.

Projecting her hope for the future, the pessimistic young champ said with hard work,she hopes to win more medals and probably represent Sport Marchant companies like Nike, RuffnTumble as an ambassador, adding that collaboration with food beverage companies to promote healthy living is also in her bucket list.

“I hope to continue working hard and winning more medals and possibly get to the Junior Olympics. I want to be a RuffnTumble and Nike ambassador. I would also like to work with food beverage companies.

Adeela Adedeji alongside her sister, Adeena Adedeji and other gymnasts, Francisca Okpanku, Chinelle Opanku, Shemilore Adeoye, Marononi Angela, Mmesoma Okafor, Chimamanda Okafor,

11-year-old Fransisca Okpanko won two Gold and two Silver medals and 9-yr old Chinelle Opanku won one gold and four bronze.

Also,10-year-old Mesoma Okafor bagged one Gold, a Silver, and two Bronze medals, eight-year-old Chimamanda Okafor carted away two Silver and two Bronze medals while Semilore Adeoye got a gold medal. Angela Marononi added one gold medal to the haul.

The Nigerian athletes competed with teams from the UK, Malta, South Africa, Belgium, Belarus, Slovakia, Italy, the US, the Czech Republic, South Africa, and Cyprus