Nigeria can produce the best gymnasts

Nigeria is known for football, athletics, tennis and many others, however, the Former Technical Director, Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN), Anthony Asuquo, believes the country has the talents to compete with some of the best gymnasts in the world.

Nigerian gymnasts have been impressive at the Regional African Gymnastics Championships, but have been unable to replicate their continental dominance at the world stage.

The country’s gymnasts attended the Gymnastics World Championship in Germany and the Boston International Cup last year but were unable to secure a medal.

The country’s best shot at winning a major medal was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where Nigeria’s first-ever female gymnast to participate in the Rhythmic Gymnastics, Jade Faulkner, made it to the final with 33.800 points after four rotations, but was unable to win a medal despite ending up as the best gymnast of the day.

However, Asuquo told The PUNCH that he was certain that with the right management, Nigeria could produce the best gymnasts.

He said, “Nigeria does have what it takes to compete at the world level if the right coaches and administrative arms are given the opportunity to choose the best gymnasts that can meet up with the other gymnasts all over the world.

“We do have a lot of gymnasts but the administrative level is a bit shaky, but as soon as things normalise, I believe we are going to produce the best gymnasts.”