July 02, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has unveiled six athletes who will fly the nation’s flag at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
The team, which comprises five female wrestlers, one male freestyle wrestler, and three coaches, was presented on Monday, in a colorful ceremony at the Dynamite Wrestling gym in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The wrestlers unveiled are Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), the reigning African champion Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg) and Military world champion Hannah Reuben (76kg).
Also, reigning African champions and debutants, Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Ogunsanya Christinah (53kg), while Ashton Mutuwa completes the list in the (125kg) men’s freestyle wrestling.
Coaches Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh and Happiness Burutu.
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, in his remarks, expressed confidence that the nation’s wrestlers will put up a good performance at this year’s 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.”
“The athletes won’t be going to Paris to participate but to compete, and you know when someone competes it’s for medals, and we are hoping that if we compete very well, the medals will come,” Igali said.
Earlier, the Bayelsa State Government, through the Secretary to the State government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, bid the athletes farewell to the contingents with the aim to make Nigerians 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 cleanly and bringing glory back home so we all can celebrate,” Ayawei stated.
The athletes and officials are expected to depart Nigeria for Spain on 3rd July for a pre-Olympic tournament in Madrid before settling in Germany for their last camping ahead of the games proper.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
