Nojim Maiyegun, Nigeria's first Olympic medalist and a pioneer in the country's boxing history, has passed away at the age of 83 in Vienna, Austria, as reported by The Punch.
Maiyegun made history at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where he won a bronze medal in the light middleweight division, becoming the first Nigerian to ever win an Olympic medal. During his Olympic journey, Maiyegun secured victories over the United Kingdom’s William Robinson and Denmark’s Tom Bogs before being defeated by France’s Jo Gonzales in the semifinals.
After his Olympic success, Maiyegun relocated to Austria and turned professional in 1971. His pro career started strong, but by 1973, he began experiencing significant issues with his eyesight, which doctors attributed to the repeated blows he took during fights. Despite these challenges, Maiyegun continued to fight and tragically ended his career with a loss to Domenico Tiberia in December 1973, reportedly while partially blind.
Following his retirement from boxing, Maiyegun faced tough circumstances. He worked as a street cleaner and janitor, jobs that became increasingly difficult as his vision continued to deteriorate. By 2012, Maiyegun was declared fully blind.
Maiyegun finished his professional boxing career with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses. His life story is a testament to the challenges faced by many athletes after their careers in the ring are over, especially in dealing with the long-term effects of their sport.
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