Nigeria wrestlers return from African Championships with 10 medals

By Akeem Lawal 

NIGERIA wrestling contingent to the 2017 Senior African Wrestling Championships in Marrakech, Morocco returned to the country in the early hours on Monday with a total of 10 medals consisting of eight gold and two silver medals.

Out of the medals, the female wrestlers accounted for eight (six gold and two silvers) while their male counterpart won the remaining two gold medals. 

Olympian and All Africa Games champion, Mercy Miesinnei Genesis recorded three falls and a technical fall to win the gold medal in the 48kg.

World No 7, Odunayo Adekuoroye, a 2015 world bronze medalist, Olympian and Commonwealth gold medalist, did not disappoint as she won gold in the 55kg.

Aminat Adeniyi followed in the same direction by winning gold in the 58kg, so also Gofit Winnie, who won gold in the 75kg.

Blessing Oborududu and new entrant, Kemeasuodei Dressman also gave Nigeria gold medals in the 69kg and 63kg respectively.

Two other wrestlers, Bisola Makanjuola and Bose Samuel won silver medals in the 60kg and 53kg respectively.

John Emmanuel defeated Maher GHANMI of Tunisia by 5-2 in the finals of the 70kg male freestyle category, while Soso Tamara completed the gold rush for Nigeria.

However, the upset of the tournament is the failure of Olympian Amas Daniel, Welson Ebikewenimo (Commonwealth silver medalist) and All Africa Games gold medalist, Melvin Bibo and Praize Micheal 80kg to win medals of any color, while Praize Micheal 80kg could not pull a surprise in his first ever international appearance as he won one match and losing three.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali has described the performance of the wrestlers as outstanding, considering the paucity of funds available during their preparations for the competition. 

Igali who was with the team in Morocco believes with sponsorship, the wrestlers can win medals at the 2020 Olympics.

"I have to commend these wrestlers for putting up such performance and I am proud of them considering their preparations and circumstances surrounding the release of funds for the competition.

"These wrestlers are outstanding. If we secure sponsorship for the wrestling team, medals in 2020 will be assured", Igali said in a chat with Sportinglife.