In celebrating International Women’s day, Plus Sports celebrates women all over the world especially women in the world of sports. These are women who are trailblazers in their different disciplines. They have broken the barriers and set new records to be broken.
Athletics: Caster Semenya
Despite the controversy surrounding her gender and genetics, Caster Semenya is arguably one of the most successful middle-distance runners in the history of athletics.
The South African caught the eye of the world in 2008 when she won gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games. She went ahead to win medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, African Games, All African Championships and the Continental Cup.
Apart from winning medals, she has also set personal, local, continental and world records in the 400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1500 metres across all competitions.
Football: Asisat Oshoala
Asisat Oshoala is currently one of the most talented female footballers in world football. The Barcelona forward came into the limelight after brilliant solo performances at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the 2014 African Women’s Championship as she finished top scorer, second top scorer and best player in both tournaments.
Oshoala’s brilliant performances in 2014 earned her a move to English giants Liverpool in 2015. Since then, she has gradually improved as an individual and continues to add value to her club sides and most importantly the Super Falcons. She is an integral member of any team she is a part of.
Tennis: Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is a 15-year-old American teenager who has taken the world of Tennis by storm with impressive performances since she began her professional career in March 2019. She was the world number one junior in the world of tennis after winning the 2018 French Open. She went ahead to win a doubles title at the 2018 US Open.
She convinced the world of her prowess after defeating veteran Venus Williams at the Wimbledon Open in 2019. She has gone ahead to compete in other grand slam tournaments and go up the world rankings. Coco is the first 15-year-old in 15 years to break into the top 50 world rankings. She is definitely on the right path to becoming the best in the world.
Gymnastics: Simone Biles
Simone Biles is a multiple gold medallist across different gymnastic competitions and different categories. Biles began her conquest in 2013 at the age of 16 at the 2013 American Cup, a FIG World Cup event representing team USA. At the end of the year, she won the world all-around title. She became the first African American to achieve the feat.
She continued her gradual rise in the world of gymnastics by racking up 35 medals across 4 major competitions. She has 4 gold medals at the Olympic games and an outstanding 19 gold medals at the World Championships. She overcame her sexual assault court case and came back stronger and determined. She continues to set new records until today.
Wrestling: Odunayo Adekuoroye & Blessing Oborodudu
Blessing Oborududu 
Odunayo Adekuoroye
Odunayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborodudu are currently blazing the trail in Women’s wrestling as they both recently secured their 6th and 10th consecutive African Championships respectively. They both helped Nigeria to record her ninth consecutive title in women’s wrestling at the ongoing African Nations Championships.
Adekuoroye is a freestyle wrestler who has won medals at the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships. She has been nicknamed the Pantera dancer due to her swift movement and legwork. Blessing Oborodudu is a veteran with vast international experience in the women’s middleweight division. She is also a freestyle wrestler.
