The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has announced the six athletes who will represent the nation at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. The team, consisting of five female wrestlers, one male freestyle wrestler, and three coaches, was presented at a vibrant ceremony at the Dynamite Wrestling Gym in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The athletes unveiled include Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), reigning African champion Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), and Military world champion Hannah Reuben (76kg). Joining them are reigning African champions and Olympic debutants Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Ogunsanya Christinah (53kg), along with Ashton Mutuwa in the men’s freestyle wrestling (125kg).
The coaching team consists of Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh, and Happiness Burutu.
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, expressed confidence in the athletes’ performance at the upcoming Olympics. “The Nigeria Wrestling Federation is a very serious Federation. The athletes have been in camp training for a couple of weeks now and, in my view, they’re prepared,” Igali said. “The athletes won’t be going to Paris to participate but to compete. You know when someone competes, it’s for medals, and we are hoping that if we compete very well, the medals will come.”
Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, bid farewell to the athletes, encouraging them to make the nation proud. “Our love for the Olympics today is the reason we are here. So, I enjoin you to make the nation proud at the Games by competing clean and bringing glory back home so we all can celebrate,” Ayawei stated.
The athletes and officials are scheduled to depart for Spain tomorrow for a pre-Olympic tournament in Madrid before heading to Germany for their final preparations ahead of the games.
