John Emmanuel eyes return to wrestling’s World No. 1

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA freestyle wrestler, John Ogbonna Emmanuel says he hopes to dominate the 74kg category after winning a gold medal at the 2019 African Wrestling Championship held in Tunisia.

The former World No. 1 in the 70kg weight category, who overcame home-boy Maher Ghanmi 7-1 to claim his third consecutive African title in Tunisia, is now World No. 10 in the 74kg category in the latest ranking released by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, Iron Monkey as fondly called, said even though the 74kg is challenging, he is determined to make his mark in the category.

“In everything you have to train very hard. I can see that it is a a very challenging category and I need to work very hard to get to number one and by the grace of God I am good to go.

“I met him (Ghanmi) in the same final at the last edition of the African Championships and defeated him. I believe I am better as I defeated him 7-1 this time around.

“I am very happy and proud of myself. I was the only one who made it into the final and I promised myself that I am going to win the gold and I won it. I saw crowd and I was so excited,” Emmanuel told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.

Only Emmanuel won gold medal in the male event in Tunisia and President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federations, Honourable Daniel Igali believes the 21 years old still has a lot to offer the country.

“The male wrestlers have been doing very well and it happens everywhere. There are times when there are changes and the younger ones are coming into the team, we will not have the same results that we normally have. While I want the male to do well, I won’t be too hard on them because nobody goes to the mat hoping to lose. They did their best and it wasn’t sufficient this time. I want to single out Ogbonna John Emmanuel who was able to win his third African title a roll. A young 21 year old who is going places and I’m hoping for good things to come in 2020 Olympics,” Igali told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com on arrival from Tunisia.