Nojeem Maiyegun, a trailblazing figure in Nigerian sports history, has passed away at the age of 83. The news of his death comes at a poignant moment, as Nigeria grapples with its recent medal-less performance at the Paris Olympic Games.
Maiyegun’s passing was announced by his Austrian partner, Rudolfine Soultan (Funmilayo), in a touching Facebook post. “My Jimylein (Jimmy) is dead. I can’t say more about this right now because it’s just too horrible. By the day after tomorrow, we would have been together for 17 years,” she wrote, conveying the personal loss felt by those closest to the sports legend.
Born on February 17, 1941, in the Bamgbose area of Lagos Island, Maiyegun’s journey to boxing stardom began at the age of 16.
His entry into the sport was sparked by an encounter with a bully at a public tap in his neighborhood, leading him to train at Bonny Ade Boxing Gym for six months before seeking retribution.
Maiyegun’s boxing career quickly gained momentum. His first international fight in 1960 against Ghana’s Joe Blackey in Accra resulted in a victory, setting the stage for his future successes.
However, it was his performance at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo that etched his name in Nigerian sports history. There, Maiyegun secured a bronze medal in the men’s light middleweight (71kg) category, becoming Nigeria’s first-ever Olympic medalist.
This achievement was followed by another bronze medal at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, solidifying his status as a formidable boxer on the international stage.
After his amateur career, Maiyegun turned professional and moved to Austria. His professional career, though brief (spanning from 1971 to 1973), saw him compete in 16 bouts, winning 12 (including ten by knockout) while suffering four defeats.
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Unfortunately, his aspirations for a world title were cut short when he lost his sight. Despite the brevity of his professional career, Maiyegun’s impact on Nigerian sports remains significant.
His Olympic bronze medal paved the way for future generations of Nigerian athletes, inspiring them to compete at the highest levels of international sport.
As news of his passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from around the world, recognizing Maiyegun’s pioneering role in Nigerian sports.
