On Sunday at the historic Eugenio Monti Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Nigerian athletes Simidele Adeagbo and Kewe King carved their names into sporting history. As they pushed off the start line and hurled their sled into the twisting ice track, they became the first two-woman bobsleigh team from Africa ever to compete in an International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup event. It was a moment that resonated far beyond the icy walls of Cortina , a moment that signalled Africa’s bold entry into one of the world’s most demanding winter sports.
Their final placing in Cortina tells only a fraction of the story. Competing on one of the most technically challenging tracks in the world, known for its speed and unforgiving precision, the Nigerian duo showed grit, control and remarkable composure. For many established teams, Cortina is a proving ground; for Adeagbo and King, it was the stage where a continent finally took its place among global competitors.
The journey to that start line was years in the making. Simidele Adeagbo, already renowned for her groundbreaking appearance as Nigeria’s first Winter Olympian in skeleton in 2018, entered the bobsleigh circuit with the same determination that transformed her from a triple-jump athlete into a world-class slider. Her commitment to expanding winter sports opportunities for African athletes has been unshakeable, and her leadership on the ice reflects a passion to rewrite narratives about who belongs on the world stage.
Kewe King, her brakeman, brings a different but equally powerful story. With a background in athletics and military training, King’s explosive strength and sharp discipline made her a natural fit for the sport’s intense demands. She and Adeagbo spent months syncing their movements, refining the explosive push-starts and mastering the delicate balance between speed and stability required to navigate bobsleigh courses. Their growing chemistry was evident in Cortina, where King’s power and Adeagbo’s steering combined in a spirited and confident debut.
Beyond the ice, their achievement carries layers of meaning. It challenges assumptions about which nations can excel in winter sports, opening doors for African athletes whose ambitions have long been limited by geography, funding or exposure. For Nigeria, it serves as a compelling reminder of the country’s growing versatility in global competition, not only in athletics and football, but in new arenas where determination can overcome climate and tradition.
The appearance of a Nigerian sled at the World Cup is also a spark for future investment as with more visibility comes the possibility of stronger developmental pathways, better infrastructure, and support for young athletes who may see Adeagbo and King and imagine themselves in similar gear, hearing the countdown at the top of a frozen track. Their run in Italy is more than a debut; it is proof that winter sports can be a field of African excellence with the right opportunities and vision.
As the cold air of Cortina settled and the duo completed their final run, there was a sense that something lasting had begun. Nigeria’s green and white had flashed down the ice, marking a first chapter rather than a final statement. Adeagbo and King left Italy not only as competitors, but as pioneers, athletes who broadened the map of possibility and showed that the same courage that pushes a sled into motion can push boundaries across the world.
Their historic outing stands as a beacon for emerging African talent and a powerful reminder that representation can reshape landscapes and with continued training, support and belief, the track ahead remains wide open, and Nigeria has already taken its first stride into the icy future of global bobsleigh.
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