AYG 2018: Team Nigeria clinch 19 medal in wrestling

 By Akeem Lawal

TEAM Nigeria wrestlers ended their campaign at the Youth African Games in Algiers, Algeria by winning a total of 19 medals, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

The team capped a brilliant outing on the final day of the wrestling event by clinching seven more medals – which includes 5 silver and 2 bronze – in the men’s cadet freestyle event on the final day of competition.

In addition to the 12 medals (3 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze) earlier won by the team in Women Wrestling and Greco Roman, overall, the youngsters eventually carted home 19 medals for Team Nigeria in wrestling.

Sariki Kelvin (45kg), Ozutu Lina (48kg) and Nnaemeka Kenechukwu (65kg) all won silver medals for Nigeria on Friday while Ogidi Perediegha (51kg)and Ladoja Idowu (110kg), who both earlier won bronze in the Greco Roman event, also clinched silver.

After missing out of a chance to win either gold or silver, Okafor Ikechukwu (55kg) and Stephen Tope (60kg) both settled for bronze.

Reacting to their performance at the Games, president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation Hon. Daniel Igali stated that the future is bright for the sport in the country, adding that the results are in line with the federation’s objectives.

“We are now sitting comfortable knowing that we have a crop of athletes who in the next 4, 5 years will be able to replace some of our ageing athletes who may likely retire in the next few years,” the Olympic champion disclosed.

“So I think the goal of the federation to have junior and cadet athletes ready to replace ageing athletes is on course. And we remain very grateful to God for ensuring that these athletes have gone to Algiers, competed without injuries and have done well for themselves, for their families and for the country.

“And we congratulate all of them.”

A breakdown of medals won by the cadet wrestlers in Algiers:

GOLD

1. Kolawole Esther (65kg)

2. Sunmisola Balogun (69kg)

3. Christianah Ogunsanya (46kg)

 SILVER

4. Esther Asaolu (43kg)

5. Yetunde Oluwatuyi (40kg)

6. Jumoke Adekoye (57kg)

7. Aina Ohida (61kg)

8. Mercy Adekuoroye (53kg)

9. Sariki Kelvin (45kg)

10. Ozutu Lina (48kg)

11. Nnaemeka Kenechukwu (65kg)

12.  Ogidi Perediegha (51kg)

13. Ladoja Idowu (110kg),

 BRONZE

 14. Adijat Idris (49kg)

15. Natasha Davids (73kg)

16. Okafor Ikechukwu (55kg)

17. Stephen Tope (60kg)

Greco Roman

18. Perediegha Ogidi (51kg)

19.Idowu Ladoja (110kg)