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Meet Chioma Ajunwa: The Legendary Woman Who Represented Nigeria As A Footballer And Also As An Athlete
from The Voice magazine
Chioma Ajunwa, born on the 25th of December 1970, is one of the pioneer players of women’s football in Nigeria. She represented the Super Falcons of Nigeria at the first Women’s World Cup in 1991. Ajunwa performed as a track and field athlete and specialized in the 100m, 200m, and long jump.
Ajunwa was suspended from the sport for four (4) years after failing a drug test in 1992, despite maintaining her innocence. Following the completion of her suspension, Ajunwa went on to become the first WestAfrican woman, as well as the first Nigerian, to win an Olympic gold medal in a track and field event when she emerged victorious in the women’s long jump event at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, with a jump length of 7.12 meters (on her first attempt) during the final. Following her Olympic gold medal at Atlanta ‘96, Ajunwa was given a national award—Member of the Order of Niger (MON)—by the then Head of State of Nigeria, Gen. Sani Abacha.
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Ajunwa remains the only person (male or female) to have represented Nigeria as a footballer (the FIFA Women’s World Cup) and as an athlete (100m, 200m, and long jump) till date. Chioma Ajunwa-Opara is now an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
Achievements and Medal Records
* won a silver medal (long jump) at the 1997 World Indoor Championships in Paris.
* Won a gold medal (long jump) at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
* Won a gold medal (long jump) at the All Africa Games in 1991.
* Won a bronze medal (4x100m relay) at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
* Won a gold medal (long jump) at the African Championships in 1989. The first African woman, as well as the first Nigerian, to win an Olympic gold medal in a track and field event She is a living legend for Nigeria and African sports in general. She continues to remain relevant in the development of sports in Nigeria.
Congratulations to Chioma AjuwaOpara for your contributions to sports development in Nigeria and Africa.
