Abuja’s Velodrome was electric, the crowd’s roar echoing like war drums, as Jane Osigwe etched her name into African kickboxing history. Under the bright lights of the African Knockout (AKO10) Tournament, the Nigerian warrior stepped into the cage with fire in her eyes and walked out clutching the Women’s Bantamweight Interim Championship.
Facing Morocco’s fierce Sanaa Mandar, Jane went toe-to-toe in a razor-close contest that tested grit, stamina, and pure willpower. But when the judges’ scorecards were read, the numbers favored Osigwe — a unanimous decision, a unanimous victory, a unanimous roar of pride for Nigeria.
Jane Osigwe
The Rise of a New Star
Osigwe, known to her fans as “Iron Fist Jane,” fought like a woman with destiny in her corner. Every jab, every kick, every feint was charged with intention. Her defense was poetry; her counterstrikes were thunder. For three grueling rounds, she turned the cage into a battlefield, proving not just her skill but her resilience.
With this win, she not only claimed the interim gold but also became the first Nigerian woman to hold an AKO Bantamweight strap, sending a clear message: Africa’s women warriors are here to dominate.
A Victory for More Than Herself
For Jane, it was about representation. In a sport still carving space for women in Africa, she stood as a beacon for young girls in Lagos gyms, Kano dojos, and Port Harcourt training camps who dream of stepping into the cage.
The crowd in Abuja knew it. They saw the history unfolding. Flags waved, drums pounded, and chants of “Osigwe! Osigwe!” rattled the Velodrome as she lifted her belt high under the arena lights.
With the interim crown secured, all eyes turn to the undisputed champion. A unification bout is on the horizon, and Jane has already declared she’s ready for war.
But for now, she basks in the glory of her triumph — Nigeria’s newest combat sports star, a queen in the cage, a fighter with a heart bigger than the battle itself.
It wasn’t easy. But the gold is hers. And Africa will never forget the night Jane Osigwe lit up Abuja.
Watch the video below.
