In January 2018, three Nigerians ladies were the focus of the world in the game of Bobsled. They would go on to become the first Nigerian team to ever compete at the Winter Olympics, in South Korea.
Meet our wonder women: Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere, and Akuoma Omeoga. Their story is proof that in the firmness of purpose, the only real battle you must win is that against yourself.
Having had successful careers in Track & Field, it would have been only natural if these three had moved on with life, leaving the game behind. However, they wanted more for Nigeria, and this passion led Adigun to create Nigeria’s first ever Bobsled team.
With infinitesimal support from the Nigeria sports ministry, Adigun set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise $75,000, the amount they needed to compete in the Olympic trials — a target they hugely surpassed.
Their Bobsled journey began in Houston, on a homemade sled they dubbed, ‘The Maeflower’. And in one year, this amazing trio moved from training on a homemade sled to representing Nigeria at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics.
Seun Adigun (Driver)
Adigun grew up loving sports and trying out every one she could lay her hands on.
She got a scholarship to the University of Houston, where she had a degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Health Professions and a minor in Psychology.
Before she ventured into Bobsled, Adigun had represented Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Ngozi Onwumere (Brakeman)
Before Ngozi joined the Bobsled team in 2016, she specialized in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 4×100 metres relay. She won the 4×100 metres relay at the 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville and represented Nigeria at the 2015 IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas.
Like Adigun, Ngozi also got a scholarship to the University of Houston, where both ladies met. Ngozi soon bought into Adigun’s vision and joined the team.
Akuoma Omeoga (Brakeman)
Akuoma began her athletics career at the University of Minnesota, where she competed in track and field for four years. Her love for sports and the snow led her to Adigun who recruited her into the team as the second brakeman.
Featured image source: travelstart.com.ng
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