Bronze medallist, Yusuf on cloud nine, eyes more conquests

Team Nigeria’s Islamiyat Yusuf was on cloud nine yesterday when she won the bronze medal in the women’s won 64kg weight category on Day Four of the Commonwealth Games.  

Birmingham 2022 is her first major outing to Nigeria and she could not contain her joy at the end of her event.

Speaking to The Guardian after the event, Yusuf admitted that her performance did not actually portray what she was capable of doing, saying that she was undone by stage fright. But that has not dampened her excitement.

“We were 12 in the 64kg weight category and I won a bronze medal. For that, I want to give God the glory.  

“At a time I panicked that I was not going to make the podium, but eventually I did. Though my target was to win a gold medal, God knows the best for giving me a bronze. “The next thing for me now is to go back home and prepare better for the next challenge,” she said.

Yusuf’s next target is the Asaba 2022 National Sports Festival, which, she believes, will prepare her better for other international challenges.
 
“I have to prepare well for the next Sports Festival coming this year at least to win a gold medal to restore my confidence in the weight category,” she stated.