By Njoku Chijioke
Team Nigeria has dazzled the continent by clinching four gold medals in the women’s category of the ongoing African Senior Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco.
The quartet of Christianah Ogunsanya, Esther Kolawole, Damola Ojo, and Hannah Reuben rose to the occasion, defeating their opponents with commanding performances across their weight classes.
Ogunsanya, wrestling in the 53kg class, made light work of Ivorian Nogona Bakayoko with an 11 to 0 victory, securing her third continental crown.
Kolawole was equally dominant in the 62kg class, overwhelming Egypt’s Al Mohamed Husseni 10 to 0 for her third African title.
In the 57kg class, Ojo displayed grit and composure to defeat Amy Youin of Ivory Coast 6 to 0, while Reuben brought the crowd to its feet with an emphatic 11 to 0 win over Egypt’s Mariam Mesbah in the 68kg division.
Reacting to the victories, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, lauded the athletes for their dedication and excellence.
“Our wrestlers have made the nation proud. Their effort and discipline are commendable,” Igali said, extending gratitude to the National Sports Commission, Bayelsa State Government, and the Nigeria Customs Service for their continued support.
Nigeria’s campaign continues on Sunday as more wrestlers gear up to take on the continent’s finest in the men’s and remaining women’s freestyle events. The tournament ends May 4.
