Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital following tragic accident
Anthony Joshua has been discharged from Duchess International Hospital following the devastating road accident that claimed the lives of two close companions earlier this week, reports BritPanorama.
The two-time world heavyweight champion left the Lagos medical facility on Wednesday, with authorities confirming he was medically cleared to continue his recovery at his Nigerian residence. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos state commissioner for information, announced in a joint statement with Ogun state that the 36-year-old boxer was “deemed clinical fit to recuperate from home”.
The Watford-born fighter sustained only minor injuries when his black SUV collided with a stationary lorry on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
Prior to leaving the hospital, Joshua accompanied his mother to a funeral home in Lagos where they bade farewell to his fallen friends. The poignant visit took place on Wednesday afternoon as preparations were underway for the repatriation of Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele’s remains to Britain.
According to the official statement, the bodies were “being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening”. The statement acknowledged that Joshua remained “heavy hearted and full of emotions over the loss of his two close friends” despite being deemed fit for discharge. Both Ghami and Ayodele had been travelling alongside the boxer when the fatal collision occurred.
A spokesperson for Joshua described Mr. Ghami and Mr. Ayodele as “close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team”. Kolawole Omoboriowo, a close associate who has known Joshua for eight years, told Sky News that Ayodele was “more than a friend” to the boxer and more akin to a “twin brother”.
Nigerian authorities have launched a manhunt for the lorry driver, who absconded from the scene immediately following the collision. The Federal Road Safety Corps has declared the driver wanted, according to an official from the agency.
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC attributed the crash to excessive speed and improper overtaking manoeuvres. The corps stated on X that the Lexus was “suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed limit” and “lost control” whilst attempting to pass another vehicle before striking the parked truck.
“The primary causes of the crash being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the safety body added.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Joshua’s return to the ring may feel different than it once did. It serves as a reminder that in the world of sport, the lines between personal and public life can blur dramatically, sometimes with devastating consequences.
