In a remarkable display of resilience and talent, Rukayat Taiwo Suleimon has become the first female blind sambist in the world to win a gold medal at a major international tournament. The Nigerian athlete achieved this feat at the 2026 World Sambo Cup in Armenia, where she defeated Uzbekistan's Charos Ortikova in the final of the women's 54kg category.

A Historic Victory

Suleimon's triumph on her international debut marks a significant milestone for disability sport and for African women in sambo. The competition in Yerevan was the first to include women with visual impairments, and Suleimon seized the opportunity to etch her name in the history books.

"Being the first female blind sambist in the world to win the gold medal makes me great," the 32-year-old told BBC Sport Africa. "This is my first time in sambo and God crowned my efforts."

Her achievement was part of a breakthrough moment for African women in the sport, as she and compatriot Elizabeth Aseso, who competed in the 59kg category, were among the pioneering sambists representing the continent.

Overcoming Adversity

Suleimon's journey to becoming a champion has been marked by hardship and a determination to rebuild her life. After failed surgeries, she lost her sight in 2009 due to glaucoma, an eye condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent loss of vision.

The change in her circumstances affected her relationships, leaving her feeling isolated at a time when she needed support the most. "People looked down on me. I would just stay indoors and cry," she explained. "So many friends left me. They stopped communicating with me."

Her life began to take a different direction after she attended a vocational training centre for blind people in Lagos. Through a friend, she was introduced to a para-athletics coach who helped her discover her potential in sport.

A Trailblazer in Sport

Since 2011, Suleimon has won more than 20 national medals across sprint events (alongside guide runner Stephen Oyelakin), discus and shot put. She then began practicing judo and sambo, and her success in these disciplines has been nothing short of extraordinary.

"Since I [started] sports I have seen that where there is life, there is hope," she said. "What sighted people can do, a blind person can do even better."

Her achievements have also become a source of pride for her family. Her twin sister Ganiyat Kehinde Suleimon says her sibling's disability has never defined her worth. "She is someone we are all proud of. She is now a champion," Ganiyat told BBC Sport Africa. "Her disability did not make her a liability to us."

Challenges and Hope

Despite her success, Suleimon says the recognition she has earned internationally has not been matched by adequate support at home. Nigerian para-athletes have long complained about a lack of funding and facilities, and Suleimon's concerns reflect wider complaints about limited funding, inadequate specialist facilities and insufficient institutional backing.

Sherif Hammed, vice-president of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, says a lack of resources can prevent talented athletes from reaching their full potential. "When athletes do not have facilities to train, they cannot compete at the world level," he said. "It is quite disheartening and heartbreaking."

For Suleimon, the journey to training is also an issue. Travelling across Lagos and covering transport costs make maintaining a demanding schedule difficult. "I leave home at 5.30am to make it to training on time," she explained.

Suleimon was unable to follow up her World Cup success at the World Sambo Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where blind women were again scheduled to compete for the first time. Beaten in Friday's opening round by Moldova's Ina Cernei, she still hopes her exploits on the global stage can inspire others.

"I want to encourage my fellow blind Africans to believe they can do it," said Suleimon. "And I want to make my country proud again."