President Daniel Igali, the head of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, commended the female wrestlers who secured gold medals in all their events at the African Games. He also supported the male athletes who were making their debuts at the competition, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The female wrestlers achieved a dominant performance with six gold medals in all six events, while the male wrestlers were not as successful in their inaugural African Games appearance.
Blessing Oborodudu, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Mercy Genesis, Christiana Ogunsanya, Hannah Reuben, and Esther Kolawole won gold medals on Sunday, while their male counterparts added three silver and two bronze medals to Nigeria’s wrestling team tally at the Games on Monday.
Among the females, Ogunsanya made her debut and displayed determination in winning the top prize.
Egypt continued their pattern of winning gold medals from Nigerians at the African Games; in the male events, four of the medal winners were defeated by Egyptian athletes.
Ashton Mutuwa lost 12-0 to Youssif Hemida of Egypt in the 125kg final and settled for the silver medal. Simeon Enozumini also clinched a silver medal after losing to another Egyptian, Gamal Mohammed, in the 57kg final.
Stephen Izolo won the last silver medal in the 65kg event following a 10-0 loss to Mourad Omar of Egypt.
Harrison Onovwiomogbohwo settled for bronze in the 86kg event after a walkover against Egypt’s Ahmed Khaled, while Braveman Oyeinkeperemo claimed a bronze medal after losing his 74kg fight against Mukendi Andy of Congo.
Igali attributed the female athletes' performance to hard work and dedication, expressing his excitement for their well-deserved success.
“I’m thrilled for these girls because they deserve it. They worked hard and have been duly rewarded,” Igali told our correspondent.
The NWF boss also defended the male athletes, stating that it was their first international tournament.
“The male team is still very young as I am just setting them up. None of them have been to the African Games before, and for the first time, they won medals and three reached the final. They have made me very proud.
“I didn’t expect them to win any medals or reach the finals, so I am very proud. I anticipate that in the next three to four years, if they continue on this path, they will become gold medalists for Nigeria,” Igali said.
