The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has announced six athletes who will represent the country at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
The team, unveiled at a ceremony held at Dynamite Wrestling gym in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, includes five female wrestlers, one male freestyle wrestler, and three coaches.
Among the athletes introduced are Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, current African champion Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), and Hannah Reuben (76kg), who is the Military world champion.
The roster also features Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Ogunsanya Christinah (53kg), both reigning African champions making their Olympic debuts, along with Ashton Mutuwa (125kg) in men’s freestyle wrestling.
The coaching staff includes Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh, and Happiness Burutu. Daniel Igali, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, expressed confidence in the team’s potential for success at this year’s Olympics.
“The Nigeria Wrestling Federation is a very serious Federation, the athletes have been in camp training for couple of weeks now and in my view they’re prepared.”
“The athletes won’t be going to Paris to participate but to compete, and you know when someone competes is for medals, and we are hoping that if we compete very well, the medals will come.” Igali said.
Previously, the Bayelsa State Government, represented by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, formally saw off the contingents, aiming to bring honor to Nigerians.
“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 expected to depart from Nigeria for Spain on July 3rd to participate in a pre-Olympic event in Madrid. They will then move to Germany for their final training sessions before the games begin.
