SPANISH GRAND PRIX: Wrestlers return with a silver, 2 bronze medals

By Akeem Lawal

Nigeria's wrestling team to the just concluded 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, will return to the country on Tuesday via Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos after winning a silver and two bronze medals at the event held at the Outer Hall of the National Sports Council, Calle Martín Fierro in Madrid, Spain.

Six Olympic-bound wrestlers (4 female and 2 male) represented Nigeria at the competition which was part of preparations for the Rio Games in Brazil. They were accompanied by five officials; President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, Secretary, Segun Oguntade, a physiotherapist, coaches Victor Kodei and Purity Akuh.

Captain of the female team and seven-time Africa Champion, Blessing Oborududu won silver in the 63kg category after she lost 1 - 1 to Maryia Mamashuk of Belarus by criteria in the finals. Maryia won the last point.

Oborududu had defeated Yekaterina Larionova of Kazakhstan 10-0 and Sweden’s Henna Johansson by 11-0 enroute the final.

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth gold medalist, Oduayo Adekuoroye (53kg) had to settle for bronze after she bounced back to beat Patricia Bermudez of Argentina 10 -0 and Russia’s Stalvira Orshush 9 - 0 in Repechage.

Another 2014 Commonwealth gold medalists, Aminat Adeniyi (58kg) also in Repechage beat Mimi Hrristova of Bulgari and overpowered Johanna Mattson of Sweden 4-3 to win bronze.

The African Champion defeated her opponent from her opponent from Poland 7-0 in the Round of 16 but lost 3-4 to koblova of Russia in the Round of 8.

The youngest wrestler in the team, Mercy Genesis won her first match against Poland 4-3 but lost second match to Russia and third match to Netherlands both by 6-3 scores.

Team Nigeria male freestyle wrestlers of Africa freestyle champion, Amas Daniel (65kg) and 3 times Africa champion,  Soso Tamarau (97kg) however failed to impress at the championship.

Tamarau lost against Hungary in the round of 16 and did not advance.

Daniel won against France in the round of 32 but lost to Russia in the round of 16 and did not advance.

While commending the wrestlers for their performances, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali rued the inability of the team to attend the few tournament lined up for the wrestlers in preparation for the Olympics.

"This was a good test for the Olympics, judging by the fact that there were 54 countries at this tournament. I wish we had a few more tournaments like we had originally planned before the Olympics.

"Congratulations to all the young men and women for their tremendous effort. I wish them luck at the big show", Igali said.

On Genesis' performance, the wrestling federation president said, "She is very young. I am not worried about these results. But we are not far behind, we are right there.

"A few things to work on for sure, but we are not at all in any crisis situation," Igali told SportingLife.