Nigeria has rolled out 27 Athletes to fly the Colors of the Nation in the 31st edition of the World University Games, slated to begin on Friday, 28 July 2023 and come to an end on Tuesday, 8 August 2023 in Chengdu, China.

The 2023 FISU Summer World University Games (Universiade), officially known as the 2023 Summer Universiade is an international multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and holds biennially at different cities of the world.

Nigeria would be participating in Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Tennis, Badminton, Judo and Athletics. Ignatius Ajuru is represented by Gideon Blessing(Athletics) and Okoko Chidimma(Taekwando) and Enku Ekuta(Judo) represents the University of Port Harcourt.

A closer look at the Representatives from the Rivers State Universities

Gideon Blessing

Born April 4 2000, Gideon Blessing, full name Gideon Nneoma Blessing, hails from Ikwerre, Rivers State and is a final year student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education studying Human Kinetic Health and Safety Education. She will take part in Long Jump during the World University Games.

In an exclusive chat with Kristina Reports, Blessing revealed that her drive is the unlimited support from her Mom and brother. She also added that she is very excited but a little bit tensed going into games but concluded by saying “It’s going to be okay anyways”

Enku Ekuta

Judo practitioner, Enku Ewa Ekuta was born on 15 March 1998 and is currently in her final year and on the verge of bagging a degree in Philosophy. She became a second dan black belter on 5 December 2022. Ekuta comes from a family of Judokas. Her mum, Catherine Ekuta is a judoka who competed at the international level for Nigeria while her dad Ewa Ekuta is a former Judoka who also excelled at the National level. He is also part of the Nigeria Judo Federation.

The 25-year-old is no stranger to big events as she competed in the 63kg event at the 2020 African Judo Championships in Dakar. She won a silver medal in the 63 kg event at the 2019 African Judo Championships held in Cameroon and also won a bronze medal at the 2019 African Judo Championships held in Senegal. She will be representing the Country in the 63kg female Category in Judo.

In an exclusive chat with Kristina Reports, Eyere Ekuta; sister of Enku Ekuta said that She is very happy and proud that her little sister gets to represent the country in China, she added “come on it’s China, one of her favourite countries.” and ended by wishing Enku and the other athletes the best, further stating “but I want her to also have fun.”

Okoko Chidinma

Born on 16 February 2001, Okoko Chidinma full name Okoko Chidinma Helen is a Student of Ignatius Ajuru University.

Chidinma won gold in the 2019 Nigeria Open in Abuja in the senior international category. She participated at the 2018 African Youth Games held in Algeria, winning a bronze medal and also took part in the 2019 African Games in Rabat.

The representatives would strive to be triumphant and bring back Medals.

Here is the full list of the 27 participants and their Universities

In Taekwondo, 10 students are set to kick their way through the opposition. They include;

Ayegbeni Joy (University of Osun)
Daramola Oluwatobi (Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko)
Daodu Joel (Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko)
Eze Malachi (University of Nigeria Nsukka)
Fehintola Abdulrahmon (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology)
Musa Abdulrazak (University of Benin)
Ogbemudia Gabey University of Benin
Okoko Chidimma (Ignatius Ajuru University of Education)
Olateju Olajumoke (University of Jos)
Torukuru Yizibe (Niger Delta University)

In Table Tennis, three students would be looking to Whiff and Whaff their way smoothly through the tournament. They are;

Ayuba Daniel (University of Lagos)
Obsauyi Prosper (University of Benin)
Oyeniyi Kehinde (University of Lagos)

While In Athletics, the selected eight would look to go the distance and emerge triumphant, they include;

Adedigba Olukorede (University of Ibadan)
Adekola Tinuade (University of Ibadan)
Ahonkhai King (Delta State University)
Akintoye Blessing (Federal University of Agriculture)
Aransiola Victoria (Federal University of Agriculture)
Gideon Blessing (Ignatius Ajuru University of Education)
Musa Nurain (University of Ilorin)
Thovoethin Sewakan( University of Lagos)

In Badminton, the quartet are set to swing their racquet into action. They are;

Abiola Motunrayo (Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko)
Aminat Ilori (Delta State University )
Idowu Oluwasegun (Lagos State University)
Umar Mujitapha (Federal University Dutse)

In Tennis: Danjuma Blessing of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University flies solo

And in Judo it’s a one-woman affair as Enku Ekuta of the University of Port Harcourt would look reign supreme.