World Olympic Qualifier: Amas Daniel determines to pick wrestling ticket

By Akeem Lawal

FIVE-TIME African champion Amas Daniel (65kg) is hoping to make the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan by attending the 2021 World Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament billed to hold in Sofia, Bulgaria from May 6–9, 2021.

 The captain of the men’s national wrestling team fell short in his bid to secure an Olympic spot at the Africa/Oceania Olympic Qualifiers held in Hammamet, Tunisia earlier this month after losing 4-3 to Fathi Tarek Ismail of Egypt in the Round of 16.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, the Commonwealth silver medalist who won gold at the just concluded 20th National Sports Festival, Edo 2020, appeal to Bayelsa State Government, Sports Ministry and the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to support his trip as he is prepared to take on the challenge at the last-chance qualifier in Bulgaria.

 

“That is sport for you sometimes. It happens but I’m very much disappointed, not very happy because it’s like a dream to lose out on an Olympic qualifier. It is a little bit disappointing to the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and the nation at large. I’m not happy but I want to make sure I strive to see how I can go to Bulgaria to see how I can qualify from there. I want to use this opportunity also to appeal to the federation, the government of Bayelsa State and also Nigerian government to see how they can support that trip. To see how we can get one or two slots to the Olympics through Bulgaria.

 

“For me, God’s willing; I will do anything possible, not committing crime, to see how I can get myself to Bulgaria for the qualifiers. All hopes are not lost, I want to believe that I have the chance to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.

 

It is to be seen if Daniel will be one of the wrestlers penciled down by the federation for the qualifier in Bulgaria. President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation Daniel Igali had earlier told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com on arrival from Tunisia that the federation is hoping to secure Olympic qualification for women’s 53kg class, while also having one or two male wrestlers attend the Qualification Tournament in Bulgaria.

 

“Blessing Onyebuchi got injured and will be completely out for four months. But we are still planning to send somebody to Bulgaria to qualify 53kg because we have the capability to even qualify at the world level and maybe even have an opportunity for a medal in that class at the Olympics. We are also looking at one or two other men that will go to Bulgaria for qualification,” Igali told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.