Gymnastics: 11-Year Old Gymnast, Stephanie Onusiriuka Makes History, Puts Nigeria On World Map

By Akinwale Kasali

Before now, little or nothing was known of 11-Year Stephanie Onusiriuka, not until she wrote her name in Gymnastics history book, by winning a Gold Medal in her discipline at the Africa Gymnastics Championship in South Africa.

The Continent stood still for the young gymnast sensation who took the world by storm.

The media beamed its light on her as she became ‘a golden fish’.

With this superlative outing and performance, the Anambra State born Stephanie has joined the league and class of sport men and women that hail from Anambra, who made the State and Nigeria proud as whole.

The likes of Innocent Egbunike, Mary Onyali, John Mikel Obi, Francis Obikwelu and others had, at different times, hoisted the nation’s flag, on a soaring height.

The teenage sensation, Stephanie, started professional gymnastics with TIG Gymnastics at the National Stadium, Abuja, in October 2018 and participated at the 8th Edition TIG International Level System Gymnastics Championship Competition.

At the 2019 National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State,  she grabbed several silver and bronze medals to become Nigeria’s youngest medallist in gymnastics.

If not for her age, Stephanie could have represented Nigeria at the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, but, with the zeal, strength, passion, determination and her skills, she will compete in 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for France.

Her ambition is to compete with world athletes. She is very enthusiastic to show the world her talents.

Her young career has continued to grow in leaps and bounds culminating into the recent victory in South Africa.