Photo credit, BBC Sport Africa
Rukayat Taiwo Suleimon only took up sambo this year, but the Nigerian has already secured her place in the martial art's history.
The sport shares deep roots with judo and wrestling, combining techniques such as hip and leg throws to bring opponents to the ground, where they can be pinned.
Initially developed by the Soviet Red Army in the 1920s, it was officially recognized as a combat sport by the USSR authorities in 1938.
Competing at the 2026 Sambo World Cup in Armenia, Suleimon defeated Charos Ortikova of Uzbekistan in the final of the women's 54kg category to claim victory in her international debut.
It was the first time that visually impaired women participated in the competition.
“Being the first female blind sambo practitioner in the world to win the gold medal makes me proud,” the 32-year-old told BBC Sport Africa.
“This is my first time in sambo and God has crowned my efforts.”
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Suleimon's performance marked a turning point for African women in the sport. Along with her compatriot Elizabeth Aseso, who competed in the 59 kg category, she was among the sambo pioneers representing the continent in Yerevan.
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For Suleimon, her gold medal is the reward for many years of hard work, which has seen her progress from athletics to judo and now to the top of the international sambo podium.
“Sport brings me a lot and, despite my blindness, I achieve a lot,” she said.
"If I wasn't blind, I don't think I would have reached this level. I'm convinced I'll do even better."
From darkness to double glory
Photo credit, Sambo Association of Nigeria
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Suleimon's journey to becoming champion was marked by hardship and a determination to rebuild her life.
After unsuccessful surgeries, she lost her sight in 2009 due to glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent vision loss.
This change in circumstances affected her relationships, leaving her feeling isolated when she needed support the most.
“People looked down on me. I stayed locked in my house crying,” she explained.
"So many friends abandoned me. They stopped communicating with me."
His life took a different direction after he enrolled in a vocational training center for blind people in Lagos.
Through a friend, she was introduced to a para-athletics coach who helped her discover her athletic potential.
Since 2011, Suleimon has won over 20 national medals in the sprint events (alongside guide runner Stephen Oyelakin), discus throw and shot put.
She then began practicing judo and sambo.
“Since I started sport, I have found that where there is life, there is hope,” she said.
“What sighted people can do, a blind person can do even better.”
Photo credit, Stephen Oyelakin
"I'm proud of myself because it's not easy to be a champion in athletics and sambo. I don't want to lose this glory."
His achievements have also become a source of pride for his family. Her twin sister, Ganiyat Kehinde Suleimon, says her sister's disability never called into question her worth.
"We are all proud of her. She is now a champion," Ganiyat told BBC Sport Africa.
“Her disability did not make her a burden to us.”
For Nigerian sambo coach Olugbenga Adekahunsi, Suleimon's performance in Yerevan offered a glimpse of what she can achieve with the right support and continued development.
“I see a lot of qualities in her because she is very strong and she has confidence in herself,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
“I believe she will become a great sambo practitioner.”
“No support” for para-athletes
Suleimon says the international recognition she has received has not translated into adequate "support" at home.
However, his victory marks the latest milestone in Nigeria's growing presence in the sport.
Two years ago, Samuel Oladele Kekere became the first blind African to compete in the World Sambo Championships in Kazakhstan, and Sodiq Ajibade followed that up with a bronze medal at last year's edition in Kyrgyzstan.
“Despite the pride we have generated in Nigeria and across Africa, there is nothing to show in return,” Suleimon stressed.
His concerns echo broader complaints from Nigerian para-athletes about limited funding, inadequate specialist facilities and insufficient institutional support, despite their performances.
Sherif Hammed, vice president of the Nigerian Sambo Federation, says lack of resources can prevent talented athletes from reaching their full potential.
“When athletes don’t have access to training facilities, they can’t compete at the world level,” he said.
“It’s really disheartening and heartbreaking.”
“People with disabilities, especially visually impaired athletes, sometimes feel that because of their difficulties, their lives have no meaning.”
For Lagos State judo champion Suleimon, the journey to training is also a problem. Crossing town and covering transportation costs make it difficult to stick to a demanding training schedule.
“I leave home at 5:30 a.m. to get to practice on time,” she said.
“It takes a lot of money and sacrifice.”
The next major test will be the World Sambo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from November 6-8, where blind women are expected to compete again for the first time.
“My goal is to win gold. I want to maintain this record and inspire women,” Suleimon said.
“I want to encourage my fellow blind Africans to believe they can do it, and I want to make my country proud again.”
We used AI to help translate this article, originally written in English. A BBC journalist checked the translation before publication. Learn more about how we use AI.
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