Simidele Adeagbo: 43-year-old Nigerian-born skeleton racer breaking barriers in sliding sports

Nigerian skeleton racer Simidele Adeagbo has once again etched her name in history, reaching a significant milestone over the weekend. She marked Nigeria’s debut at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup in St. Moritz, Switzerland, with two impressive top-25 finishes in the women’s monobob event.

The 43-year-old athlete competed in two races, finishing both in 23rd place. While a podium finish remained out of reach, Adeagbo’s pride centred on making history for Nigeria.

“Africa’s sleigh queen is leaving St. Moritz with two top-25 World Cup finishes,” Adeagbo said on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. “Grateful for the growth with each race. This weekend marked Nigeria’s debut on the World Cup stage, and it’s an honour to represent my country and continue pushing things forward in the sport.”

Breaking Barriers in Winter Sports
Simidele Adeagbo is Nigerian and Africa’s first female skeleton athlete and the first Black female Olympian in the sport. In 2022, she added another historic achievement to her career, winning gold in the women’s monobob event at the EuroCup in Germany, becoming the first African athlete to claim victory in an international sled race.

From Sand to Ice
Adeagbo’s Olympic dream took a decade to fulfil. After narrowly missing qualification as a long jumper for the 2008 Summer Olympics, she shifted her focus to winter sports. In 2017, she transitioned from track and field to skeleton, and by 2018, she became Africa’s first competitor in skeleton at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang.

Reflecting on her journey, Adeagbo shared: “The thing that I also learned is that your dream might not actually look like the way you originally envisioned it. And so, you have to be open to reimagining different ways to get to the same goal.”

Historic Performances at the IBSF World Cup
In St. Moritz, Adeagbo proudly represented Nigeria in the women’s monobob event, achieving two top-25 finishes and solidifying Nigeria’s presence on the global stage.

Historic Career Feets
2018 Winter Olympics: Became the first Black female skeleton athlete, finishing 20th.
2022 EuroCup: Won gold in the monobob, the first African athlete to win an international sled race.
2024 IBSF World Championships: Competed as the first African bobsleigh athlete in the event’s 100-year history.

Inspiring Future Generations
Adeagbo’s journey exemplifies resilience and determination. Now 43, she is committed to inspiring African youth to break barriers and pursue their dreams, even in fields traditionally dominated by others.

“This was really the root of my journey. When I think back to when I made the decision to start doing the sport of skeleton, it was really rooted in a deeper purpose,” Adeagbo explained.
She advises aspiring athletes:
“Your dream might not look the way you originally envisioned it. Be open to reimagining different ways to achieve your goal.”

Looking Ahead
Simidele Adeagbo’s trailblazing accomplishments continue to inspire. Her commitment to empowering others and pushing boundaries underscores her legacy as a pioneer in winter sports. Adeagbo’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of breaking barriers for future generations.