The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Dr. Daniel Ugali, has appreciated the effort of Bayelsa State government for hosting the national wrestling trial.
He made the statement in an interview with Journalists in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria.
According to him, “I want to thank the Bayelsa State Government for the support to host this trials for the African Games and Olympic Qualifiers. I think it was a well contested tournament“.
He also applauded the efforts of all the wrestlers for their doggedness and zeal to win.
Daniel Igali went ahead to praise the effort of the officials, ” I showered praises on the Technical and officials for hosting a successful event and despite what I saw, there is still much room for improvement“.
He also advised that, there should be adequate preparation for the Nation’s athletes going for the African Games.
The President of NWF also appreciated the effort of the athletes, “There were a couple of young athletes I saw here that got me very excited, every weight class was well contested for that gives me a lot of joy.
“However, our performance would be determined by how we prepare because I don’t think our athletes are prepared well enough to start thinking of gold so we need to start camping immediately.” Dr. Daniel Igali added.
In the same vein, Blessing Oborodudu who won silver medalist during the Japan 2020 Olympic silver medalist has qualified for next month’s African Games in Accra, Ghana.
Blessing Oborodudu wasted no time dispatching her 68kg opponent Tokere Appah of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria in a pinfall dominant fashion.
Ebi Biogos of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria and Hannah Reuben of the Nigerian Army also came out victorious in the 72kg and 76kg respectively.
In the male freestyle, Soso Tamarau of Delta State, Southern, Nigeria and Ashton Mutuwa of Plateau State, Northern, Nigeria caused an upset in the 97kg and 125kg.
However, the new American based sensation Ashton Mutuwa upset National champion Progress Benson of Rivers State, Southern, Nigeria to secure the African Games qualification and Olympic Qualifiers.
Similarly, Harrison Isrsal of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria dented the hopes of Jackson Oluwafemi of Ondo State, Southern, Nigeria who is a national champion in the 86kg.
Earlier, in the 65kg Stephen Simon of Bayelsa State, Southern, Nigeria defeated former national champion Amas Daniel of Bayelsa State while Braveman Pere in the 74kg secured qualification to the Games in Accra, Ghana.
In the 57kg Enozumini Simon of Edo State, Southern, Nigeria joined the winning parade by cementing his slot at the African Games.
Meanwhile, the African Games is scheduled in the capital city of Accra, Ghana from 8th to 24th March 2024 while the first Olympic Qualifiers for the year runs from 12th– 20th March.
Comments are closed.