Nojeem Maiyegun, Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist, lived a life of triumph and tribulation.
His journey from blindness to finding love and redemption is a testament to the power of faith and human resilience.
Maiyegun’s life took a dramatic turn when he met Rudolfine, an Austrian woman who would become his wife.
Love is blind
When Maiyegun met Ruldofine, many would have dismissed him as a potential suitor.
Blind and struggling to make ends meet, his circumstances seemed daunting.
But Ruldofine’s love transcended these obstacles.
She saw beyond his physical limitations and embraced his spirit.
Maiyegun renamed her Funmilayo, meaning “God gives me joy,” a prophetic name that would shape their lives together for the almost two decades they lived as a couple.
The union came to a sad end on Monday August 26.
“My Jimylein died today.
I can’t say more about this right now. Because it’s just horrible. The day after tomorrow we would have been together for 17 years 😢” Ruldofine shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook as she announced the death of Maiyegun at 83.
Maiyegun’s death comes just days after the 60th anniversary of his remarkable achievement at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he won a bronze medal in boxing.
Early Life
Born in the Bamgbose area of Lagos Island, Maiyegun began boxing at 16 after being bullied at a public tap.
He trained at Bonny Ade Boxing Gym for six months before seeking revenge against his tormentor.
Despite initial opposition from his parents, Maiyegun’s amateur wins won them over, and he went on to become a boxing legend.
Career
Maiyegun’s first international fight was against Ghana’s Joe Blackey in 1960, which he won.
He then made the Nigeria team to the Tokyo ’64 Olympic Games, where he won Nigeria’s first Olympic medal, a bronze in boxing.
He also won a bronze medal at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.
Unfulfilled Dream
After turning pro, Maiyegun moved to Austria but his dream of winning a world title was cut short by blindness.
However, he continued to push boundaries, becoming the first completely blind man in Austria to climb a 1.7-meter-high mountain and jump with a parachute.
Maiyegun’s Olympic journey was marked by impressive victories, including a one-sided bout against Great Britain’s William Robinson and a dramatic quarter-final round against Danish boxer Tom Bogs.
Although he lost the semi-final fight to Gonzales, Maiyegun’s bronze medal win made him a legend.
Beyond his Olympic medal, Maiyegun won a bronze at the 1966 Commonwealth Games, an African Championship gold, and a medal from the 1960 Independence celebration tournament.
Throughout his career, he fought 16 times, winning 12 of those matches, with 10 victories coming by knockout
His legacy extends beyond his boxing achievements, inspiring generations with his remarkable love story and unwavering determination.
