TheCable

Nigeria’s female wrestlers won 10 medals at the Africa Wrestling Championships holding at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

NAN reports that each of the 10 wrestlers, who represented the country in the cadet freestyle, won a medal in this category which ended late on Wednesday night.

The wrestlers clinched five gold, one silver and four bronze medals.

The gold medalists are Yetunde Olatunji (40kg), Christian Ogunsanya (46kg), Mercy Adekuoroye (53kg), Simisola Olatunji (65kg) and Cecilia James (68kg).

The only silver medalist was Natasha Essien (73kg) while Esther Asaolu (43kg), Aina Ohida (49kg), Jumoke Adekoye (57kg) and Esther Kolawole (61kg) won bronze medals.

Purity Akuh, coach of the female team, said: “This result shows that we are on the right course and we will keep striving to record more success.

“The Youth Olympic Game is coming up later this year and this championship is also a qualifier to it.

“In this championship, our athletes took part in four of the weight categories that will be featured at the Youth Olympic Games.”

He said prior to the championships, “I had boasted of 10 gold medals. I’m very sure what affected them all is lack of exposure.

“This championship is actually their debut at international competition. With more exposures, they are all good to go and will conquer at future competitions.”

The championship which had participants from 16 countries will end on February 11.

The prticipating countries are Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, Kenya, Burundi, Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Central Africa Republic (CAR), Madagascar and the host, Nigeria.

Not less than 90 wrestlers, comprising males and females, are representing Nigeria at the championship.