The Greco-Roman category took a twist as Africa Bronze
medalist, Melvin Bibo (Bayelsa) defeated former National Champion, Abraham
Onyemelusi by 8-2 points in the 80kg category at the ongoing 2nd Governor
Seriake Dickson Wrestling Championship at the Indoor Hall of the Samson Siasia
Sports complex, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State on Friday.
NationSport reports that Bibo who is an All Africa Games
gold medalist picked up a crucial 4 points in the first round and later went on
to pick another 4 points capitalizing on the errors of Onyemelusi, the Nigeria
Police wrestler.
Onyemelusi almost turned the table around in the closing
minutes of the second round but the flexible Bayelsa wrestler wiggled his way
out of trouble.
After the final bout, the All Africa bronze medalist,
Onyemelusi was filled with disappointment and shock as Bibo was hailed by the
Bayelsan spectators.
Elsewhere, Nigeria Army Wrestler, Tochukwu Okeke narrowly
defeated Lucky Opiah in a keenly contested fight by 4-2 points in the 80kg.
Other in the 80kg category are; Omega Bassey (Akwa Ibom),
Matthias Okuma (Edo), David Philip (Bomadi Club) and Victor Jonah (Plateau).
Speaking on the caliber of Greco-Roman wrestlers in the
80kg, President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali expressed
satisfaction with the level of competiveness, adding that the country possesses
quality wrestlers.
Igali however discouraged freestyle wrestlers from
encroaching into Greco-Roman.
"For me, before I can give it to the 80kg, then the
country must be doing fine in Africa. The spirit of the wrestlers is high but I
want more athletes to battle in each of the categories. As a person, I will not
support freestyle wrestler to encroach into Greco-Roman because their styles
are different. The wrestlers must have their preferred style," the
wrestling president added.
No comments:
Post a Comment