Nigeria Takes Second Spot in African Wrestling Championship

The 40th African Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, has come to a close, with Nigeria securing an impressive second place in the overall medal standings.

Team Nigeria won a total of 12 medals, 10 gold, one silver, and one bronze, narrowly trailing Egypt, who topped the table with 24 medals, including 11 gold, eight silver, and five bronze.

The Nigerian women’s team shone brightly, dominating the freestyle category by claiming nine out of 10 gold medals on offer.

The standout performers included Mercy Genesis (50kg), Christianah Ogunsanya (53kg), Adijat Idris (55kg), Jumoke Adekoye (59kg), Esther Kolawole (62kg), Ebipatei Mughenbofa (65kg), Hannah Rueben (68kg), Ebi Biogos (72kg), and Damola Ojo (76kg).

In the men’s freestyle, Stephen Izolo bagged Nigeria’s sole gold medal in the 65kg category, defeating Tunisia’s Farouk Jelassi. Tope Adebayo earned a bronze in the 70kg freestyle, while Ebikeme Newlife won silver in the 92kg class, finishing behind Cameroon’s Cédric Abossolo.

The championships also featured age-grade competitions in the U-20 for juniors and U-17 for cadets categories, with Nigeria not participating in both.