Chioma Ajunwa facts for kids
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| Born | 25 December 1970 Umuihiokwu, Nigeria |
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Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, also known as Chioma Ajunwa, is a famous Nigerian sports hero. Born on December 25, 1970, she was a talented track and field athlete and football player. She made history at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta by becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. She was also the first black African woman to win a gold medal in a field event at the Olympics.
Ajunwa is also a member of the Nigerian Police Force. She is the only woman in history to have played in the FIFA Women's World Cup and also competed in the Olympics in track and field.
In 2017, she started the Chioma Ajunwa-Okpara Foundation. The foundation helps find and train young Nigerian athletes. It works with local governments to host sports events for students.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Chioma Ajunwa was born in Ahiazu-Mbaise, Nigeria, into a large family with eight other siblings. She described her family as being "very poor." Her father passed away when she was young, and her mother had to raise all nine children by herself.
When she was 18, Ajunwa was accepted into a university. However, her family could not afford the school fees. She decided to become an automobile mechanic instead, but she did not continue with this plan because her mother disapproved.
A Career in Two Sports
Playing Football
Ajunwa first started her sports career as a football player. She played for the Nigerian women's team, known as The Falcons. She was part of the team during the 1991 Women's World Cup.
However, she spent most of her time on the bench and didn't get many chances to play. She later said she didn't regret leaving football because she became very successful in athletics.
Success in Track and Field
Ajunwa was a natural at track and field. She was skilled in the 100 m, 200 m, and the long jump. In 1990, she won a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. She also won gold medals in the long jump at the African Championships in 1989 and the All-Africa Games in 1991.
In 1992, she faced a major setback and was suspended from competing for four years. She always said she was innocent.
After her suspension ended, Ajunwa made an amazing comeback. At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, she won the gold medal in the women's long jump. On her very first jump in the final, she leaped 7.12 meters. This historic win made her the first Nigerian and the first West-African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a track and field event.
Awards and Recognition
For her amazing Olympic victory, Ajunwa received a national award from the Nigerian government. She was made a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). She also received a chieftaincy title from her home state, Imo State.
On October 1, 2010, during Nigeria's 50th Independence anniversary, President Goodluck Jonathan honored Ajunwa. She was one of 50 special Nigerians who received a Golden Jubilee Independence Award for her contributions to the country.
Over the years, she has held important roles, including:
- Chairperson of the Women's Development Committee of Imo State Football Association (2011)
- Member of a committee to revive school sports competitions in Nigeria (2011)
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (2018 to present)
Promoting Fair Play in Sports
Chioma Ajunwa is a strong supporter of clean and fair competition in sports. In 2010, she started a campaign called 'Compete Fair & Clean'. She uses her own money to fund this project.
Her campaign teaches athletes and coaches about the importance of playing fair and avoiding banned substances. She puts up banners at sports events, gives out T-shirts with positive messages, and organizes workshops to spread awareness.
See also
In Spanish: Chioma Ajunwa para niños
- List of champions of Africa of athletics
- List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences
