Nigerian and Japan based Ridwan Oyekola during the week lost to Tosin Osaigbovo in the National Lightweight bout at the battle of  ages boxing championship held at the Campos square stadium Lagos 

Tosin Osaigbovo won  via unanimous decision over Ridwan oyekola 

The 8 Rounds National lightweight challenge was a delight to watch in the championship which featured both amateur and professional boxers 

Battle  of ages season 10 took place for the first time at the Campos square mini stadium Lagos island 

In the 10 Rounds National Super Bantamweight Title bout 

Sulaimon Ahmed  could not withstand the punches from  Durotimi Agboola as he lost via knockout 

Chairman, De Lads boxing promotion Wasiu Alabi expressed his satisfaction with the performance of boxers and the turn out boxing fans at the venue 

He said the bout was held at the Campos square mini stadium Lagos following request from boxing fans to stage the tournament there 

” I have been involved in promotion of boxing for some time now and anytime I host an event the number of spectators that come to watch our fights shows Nigerians love boxing . 

Am happy about the growth of professional boxing in the country but it can be better with the support of corporate bodies ” He said 

President nigeria boxing board of control NBBOf c  Rafiu Ladipo showered encomiums on the chairman of de lads boxing promotions wasiu alabi for supporting the growth of boxing in the country

While hailing the enthusiasm of  wasiu  alabi whom he said has supported the NBBOf c sponsoring it’s programes ladipo called on well meaning individuals and corporat bodies to join forces with them to take boxing to greater heights 

In other results,  in the 8 Rounds National Light Heavyweight Cdecision Rasheed Idowu won by Unanimous decision over Segun Olanrewaju 

Isaac chukwudi won via TKO over Kaki Williams Amosu in the National Super Lightweight Challenge

Oluwatoyin Omotosho triumphed by Majority decision over Saheed Tijani in the National Super Welterweight contest 

In the Super Feather weight Challenge Lawal Ahmed won via unanimous decision over Kabir Lubuola 

In the National Super Welterweight Challenge Alamu Opadiran defeated Ganiyu Kolawole

by Unanimous decision*

All bouts were sanctioned by the nigeria boxing board of control NBB of C 

Chairman Lagos boxing Hall of fame Olawale Edun has praised the performance of boxers who emerge champions of the annual Lagos governors belt tournament 

Edun said the quality of boxers who come through the governors belt have displayed nothing but top class boxing 

The renowned monthly Saturday Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) had undergone a rebranding, expanding its scope to include Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) alongside its traditional boxing tournaments. 

” We are indeed very excited and proud of the performance of boxers who have over the years won the governors belt. Thats why the Hall of fame championship is consistent in availing the pugilists a platform to excell in their chosen career . We are grateful about the support we are getting but we need more people to come on board  to discover more young boxers who will become worthy ambassadors for Nigeria ” He said 

Oyebamiji Oluwasegun won the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt – Hall of Fame (HOF) 139 on  December 26th (Boxing Day) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Oyebamiji Quadri “Ekete” Oluwasegun defeated Qudus Lateef by a split decision in their 3 rounds Bantamweight (54KG) bouts, to claim the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt title and a cheque of five hundred Thousands Naira (#500k).

The tournament featured 13 heart-pounding boxing matches across various weight categories for both male and female fighters. Each athlete stepped into the ring with a fierce determination to claim victory and etch their names in the annals of combat sports history.

In the 48kg male category, Abijuwon Farouq showcased his exceptional skills, decisively defeating Bolarinwa Micheal after three intense rounds.

Abdulahi Robiu also shone brightly in the 60kg male category, exhibiting remarkable pace and precision to secure his win, while Obanla Opeyemi stood his ground in the 81kg male category, clinching victory over Adekunle Habeeb.

On the female side, Idowu Mistura triumphed in the 48kg category against Yakubu Sofiat, while Adeshina Zainab dazzled the audience with her powerful low jabs, dominating the 50kg female category. 

Gbadamosi Aishat fought valiantly, battling her way to victory in the 54kg female category, showcasing the remarkable talent present in Nigerian women’s boxing.

winners were rewarded with medals and cash prizes for their efforts 

The 15th Annual Governors Belt Tournament was not just a competition; it was a celebration of resilience, skill, and the indomitable spirit of Nigerian sports men and women 

Organisers of the just concluded one day  ‘Karate For All Ages’ Championship said that the tournament enabled karatekers to horn their skills, improve their competition level as well as help coaches and instructors to access what they’ve taught their fighters.

The karate for all ages saw athletes in different age categories compete for honours in Kata and kumite, displaying exceptional skills 

Kata and kumite are two fundamental components of karate training that are interrelated and support each other

The annual championship is for both male and female athletes 

Organiser of the championship  Ibrahim Muse while  highlighting  the importance of the championship said that  it has helped in further development of the game noting that the large turnout of athletes, coaches and instructors is an evidence of it’s popularity and acceptability by all karate stakeholders in the country.

” We the organisers are happy that the number of participants keep on increasing every year and what the athletes learn at  the end of every championship  cannot be quantified because it enables them to compete in a friendly environment, watch the skills of others and note their areas of weakness  and how to  improve on their skills”, he stated.

The championship which is in its 7th edition, came to a successful end on Saturday, December14, 2024 at the Gymnasium Hall of the National Institute For Sports, Lagos and attracted  more than 400 karatekers from various clubs.

Chief Instructor and member of Nigerian Association of Shotokan Karate, Sensei Alfred Ohimain said 

the huge turn out of  athletes is an indication that the championship is a household name in the country and they’ll continue to improve on the successes recorded over the years.

” Basically,  the major reason why we organise this championship every year is to develop karatekas, give them enough opportunity to exhibit their skills and also give coaches and instructors enough opportunity to access what they’ve taught their athletes and I can tell you that we’re getting it right with the championship.

“As you can see, we have a very large turnout of athletes who are about 450 which is the biggest anywhere in the country. All the athletes who are of all ages,  had the opportunity to participate in both Kate and kumitae and I can tell you that with this championship, we’ve succeeded in moving the sports forward in the country 

Ohimain, a 7th Dan who also doubles as a board member of Karate Federation of Nigeria expressed appreciation to their sponsors for identifying with them even as he appealed for more sponsorship of Karate competitions to enable Nigerian athletes up their game and  be at par with their counterparts from other parts of the world.

Meanwhile some of the athletes who participated in this year’s championship have commended the organisers for putting up a seamless competition.

A gold medalist, Azeez Abdulahi, who said this year is his second time of participating in the championship noted that the experience he garnered in last year’s edition propelled him to go for the gold medal.

” I was here last year but couldn’t make a podium finish but the good thing was that I learnt a lot and when I went back home, I improved on my skills which gave  me gold this year. So, I must give kudos to the organisers for the exposure and opportunity to improve on our form which the competition has afforded us and I urge them to keep the flag flying as the championship has really changed the face of karate in the country.

In her own remarks, Miriam Tijani said that although she was not fortunate to win a medal but she commend the organisers for the amazing championship which she said afforded her the opportunity to learn new things about the techniques of the  sports.

At the end of the championship, medals and certificates were awarded to participants in the various weight categories.