Twelve years after false rumors of his death, Nigeria's first Olympic medallist, Nojim Maiyegun, has passed away at the age of 83. Maiyegun, who was born on February 17, 1941, in Lagos, died of natural causes on Monday, August 26, at his residence in Vienna, Austria, where he had lived for many years.
Maiyegun made history at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, winning Nigeria's first-ever Olympic medal in the boxing event. Competing in the Light Middleweight category, he earned a bronze medal alongside Józef Grzesiak of Poland, as both semifinal losers were awarded bronze, with no third-place bout held.
His death comes just days after the 60th anniversary of his historic achievement on August 10, 1964. In 2012, Maiyegun revealed that he had lost his sight, but despite this, he continued to live a quiet life in Austria.
A source close to Maiyegun in Vienna confirmed his passing to *NationSport* last night, describing him as a great man who will always be remembered. “Yes, it is true (Maiyegun’s death),” the source confirmed, accompanied by four love emojis. “Rest in Peace; he was the greatest man on this planet, and we will always love him.”
Veteran journalist and former general manager of Stationery Stores, Pa Segun Adenuga, paid tribute to Maiyegun’s boxing prowess and humble beginnings. "I grew up together with Maiyegun on Lagos Island,” the octogenarian told *NationSport*. “He fought his way to fame and was a great boxer; he won the first medal in boxing for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"He was just a year older than me, and I remember how he would trek a long distance from their home to come and train in the Bamigbose area on the Island. He was also a national champion at various times; may God grant him eternal rest,” Adenuga concluded.
Maiyegun's legacy as a pioneer in Nigerian sports will forever be remembered, and his contributions to boxing have left an indelible mark on the nation's sporting history.
