Nigeria’s success in global athletics will not be complete without mentioning the multi-talented Chioma Ajunwa.
The 46-year-old former athlete was recently madethe police commissioner in her hometown. She has been recognized in her country in Nigeria for several national development efforts.
For conquering the West African country in 1996, Chioma was decorated as a member of the Order of the Niger (MON), one of the most prestigious awards from the federal government.
Before the big break in 1996, Chioma Ajunwa went on to win a bronze medal in the Commonwealth 4x100m relay in Auckland in 1990. In 1997 she also won a silver medal in the long jump in Paris.
Chioma Ajunwa’s early life
Chioma Ajunwa-Opara was born on December 25, 1970 in Umuihiokwu, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria.
On a positive note, she already had excellent athletic skills in school.
Chioma’s career as a car mechanic
The talented woman, wife and mother of three has a degree in breaking norms at the national and international level. Instead of sitting idle and wallowing in self-pity, Ajunwa took a job as a mechanic. At the time, this type of work was not “ideal” for a woman in Nigerian society.
With her mother’s advice and disapproval in her choice of work, Ajunwa gave it up.
She tried her hands on soccer
Ajunwa, still exploring her sporting skills, secured a spot on the Nigerian Falcon team.
During the 1991 Women’s World Cup, she was part of the women’s team. Wikipedia reports that “she was constantly under scrutiny” and “her skills were rarely used”.
Chioma Ajunwa as an Olympic gold medalist
What was surprising was her first attempt at the Chioma Ajunwa and her home country won a historic gold medal in the 7.12m women’s long jump at the 1996 Olympics. Before the big win, she had competed in the 1989 African Championships and the 1991 All Africa Games, winning gold medals in both.
Her victory at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta made her the first athlete in her country to win an Olympic gold medal. She was also the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.
5th Commissioner of the Nigerian Police
She was awarded Assistant Commissioner ofPolice, by the Police Service Commission at an event held at the Police Academy in Ikeja. Previously, Ajunwa, who was recently appointed commissioner, was an officer in the Nigerian Police and Chief Superintendent of Police.
The occasion, which took place at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, published by The Nation, took place in the week after their foundation launched in the capital, Abuja. Aside from running and jumping for the country, Ajunwa plays a strategic role in national development through her services in the police force and her foundation, whose main goal is to rediscover the country’s sporting talents.
Ajunwa is sad that there has not been another Olympic medalist since her victory in Nigeria over two decades ago.
6. Drug controversy/campaign
In 1992, Chioma Ajunwa failed to pass a drug test, which resulted in a 4-year ban from competing for four years. She denied claims that she never intentionally went to a pharmacist to purchase performance-enhancing drugs. As a result, the Chioma Ajunwa Foundation is also educating athletes in Nigeria about the dangers of using prohibited and illegal substances.
7. Title
Aside from being the National Member of the Order ofNiger (MON) award by then Nigerian Head of State Sani Abacha, Chioma Ajunwa is the Chair of the Women’s Development Committee of the Imo State Football Association. She is also a member of the Committee for the Revival of Nigerian Academicals Sports Competitions.