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By Oluwole Francis
As the preparations for the 2024 Olympics gain momentum, six Nigerian wrestlers have qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris.
President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali, however has assured of a fantastic outcome not only at the African championships for southern from the Africa games to the African championships and even the Oceania Africa Olympic qualifiers, we went with a target of qualifying at least four athletes were qualified.
“We wanted more, obviously, but of course met our targets so I am happier for these athletes. They showed real determination. The joy now is to see how we can get ourselves prepared for the long journey to the Olympics proper
We’ve qualified five athletes so far. Now six in total. We’re going to start their preparations we have given them a week.
We have specific preparations for them. One of them is doing a degree in the US. And she’s going to be there for about six weeks before she comes to join. We’ve always prepared in Nigeria, we believe in homegrown talents, the wrestling federation, every athlete has been homegrown. And of course, you see the results which means we can do it here. So our preparations will be largely in Nigeria.
“But we will compete about twice before the Olympics and maybe have camps for about 10 days or two weeks at a time before the Olympics where you can rest assured that the Wrestling Federation will be prepared for the Olympics and should be looking at multiple medals at the Olympics, all things being equal.
“We’re doing well for the nation and that’s why you don’t see any athletes in the wrestling federation complain even though you may not get all you want but we make them happy. We have a federation that speaks with one voice. We have athletes that are 100% committed. We have the support of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development. They’ve been doing their best for us. The governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri has been supportive too as well and in the board we have the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashiru Adeniyi, who has been very supportive of our events.”
On arrival;
President
VP Mr Christopher Ampikla
Ebi Biogos (72kg) GOLD
Ebipatei Mughenbola (65kg) GOLD
Mercy Adekuoroye (59kg) GOLD
Idris Adijat (56kg) GOLD
Onovwiomobohwo Harrison (86kg) BRONZE
Izolo Stephen BRONZE
Coach Victor Kodei
Coach Happiness Burutu
Secretary General
Arrival at MMIA, Lagos;
Oborodudu Blessing (68kg) GOLD
Kolawole Esther (62kg) GOLD
Ogunsanya Christiana (53kg) GOLD
Genesis Mercy (50kg) GOLD
Hannah Reuben (76kg) SILIVER
Coach Akuh Purity
Off to the USA are;
Adekuoroye Odunayo (57kg) GOLD
Ashton Mutuwa125kg SiLVER
*Summary:*
6 Gold
1 Silver
2 Bronze
*Olympic Qualifiers*
Hannah
Oborodudu
Kolawole
Adekuoroye
Ogunsanya
Ashton Mutuwa
