Olympics Camp: Wrestlers working on techniques, tactics in Yenagoa

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA wrestlers have intensified training in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State during the ongoing second phase of camping in preparations for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

 Wrestlers in camp include Blessing Oborududu, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Aminat Adeniyi, Bose Samuel, Blessing Onyebuchi, John Emmanuel, Amas Daniel, Ebikewonimo Welson, Soso Tamara, Sunmisola Balogun and Agiomor Ekerekeme with their training partners.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, Coach of the Nigeria’s female wrestling team, Akur Purity said himself and the Head Coach of the national team, Victor Kodei are working on various tactics and techniques to help the athletes to return to full fitness.

 

“For a very long time, we have not attended any competition and the sports ministry deemed it fit to call us into camp for like three weeks so that the athletes can regain their fitness before we start proper preparations for the Olympics by next year.

“The environment is okay, everything is fine and training is going smoothly.  The medical staff took our medical records and checked everything. All of us underwent the compulsory COVID test when we arrived at camp and since then, we have been observing the COVID-19 protocol.

 

“For me, I found out that a lot of them have been training since the ban was lifted on combat sports. And because of the scheduled National Sports Festival that was later postponed, a lot of them have been training individually, so we don’t really find it difficult for them to adjust.  

 

“Basically, we are working on strategies, perfection and techniques. Then we have the whole time to analyze our faults and irregularities that we noticed in the athletes. So we are working on the past mistakes and the bad habits noticed in the athletes and trying to inculcate new ones in them,” Purity told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.

 

The Yenagoa camp is one of the three centers across the country that is accommodating athletes for the three-week period. In Port- Harcourt, 14 track and field athletes under the supervision of two coaches are in camp, while eight para athletes, 14 para table tennis players and eight weightlifters are in camp in Abuja.

 

The second phase which started on December 7 will end on the 24th.

The first phase of camping held from November 20th to December 9th was conducted at the High Altitude Training Center, Federal College of Education, Pankshin in Plateau State with four athletes in attendance.

Pictures: Aminat Adeniyi