By Isiaq Ibrahim
A Nigerian skeleton racer, Simidele Adeagbo has revealed that she is the first African Athlete to compete in bobsleigh at the BMW IBSF World Chams ever.
The World Champs which will be held on Saturday, February 24, at 9am and Sunday, February 25 at 9:15 am.
Being the first Nigeria and Africa’s first female skeleton Athletes, In 2022, she won the women’s mono bob event in the 2022 EuroCup, held in Germany. In doing so, she became the first athlete from Africa to win an international sled race. Before competing in skeleton, Adeagbo competed in triple jump, last competing in 2008.
According to Simidele tweets, no African continent Athletes have had the opportunity to participate in bobsleigh at a World Champs in the 100 years since @ibsfsliding was founded.
Speaking about how overwhelmed she was in her comment section on X, she expressed “I want to take a moment to celebrate this significant barrier that took a century to break. Too often our historic contributions are not recognized, undervalued and forgotten. So as we celebrate BHM, I’m honoured to write another chapter in the new future of sport.”
She continued, “This first will be forever recorded in history, paving the way for greater access and inclusion in the primarily Eurocentric, male dominated sport of bobsleigh. This historic moment is a testament to hard work and dreaming more than others think is practical.”
However, she appreciated her incredible team for their full support, and sponsors for having faith in her.
‘I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete at the highest level and showcase the power of perseverance and determination. No matter the outcome, this moment is golden,” she said.
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