The Nigerian military for the first time has broken a 50 year record for winning 36th World Military Wrestling Championship at Baku, Azerbaijan since the inception of it in 1973.
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This is the first time the Armed Forces of Nigeria is securing a gold medal since participating at the International Military Sports Council CISM World Wrestling Championship.
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa disclosed this while receiving the outstanding Nigerian Military Wrestlers at the International Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Emmanuel Onumajuru said that “the feat was achieved by female wrestler, Corporal Hannah Reuben who beat her Italian contender in the 68 weight category of women’s freestyle wrestling to lift the gold medal”.
According to him, another commendable performance was by Lance Corporal Esther Ojolaide who got silver medal in the 72 weight earlier at the event.
While speaking to the Journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters and the Team Leader for the Athletes, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquiu expressed his appreciation to the Defence Chief for the motivation giving to represent the country in the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship.
The Team Leader said that “the motivation given to them was in two folds, representing your country and once you win, the National Anthem of your country will be played and the flag of the country will displayed”.
According to him, the athletes understood the enormous task ahead of them and they were well motivated as the Defence Chief already provided them with all that they needed to be the best.
Air Vice Marshal Marquiu noted that Nigeria will be hosting the Africa Military Games in 2024 and this victory is a building process, having understood that it is the season of renewal of hope.
He said that “the CDS having understood the strategic importance of the role sports play in making a country to be visible, motivated the team and provided all requirements in sporting engagement”.
He noted how they were not given a chance when they arrived at the Championship, but when they saw the Nigerian Military wrestlers competing fairly they started getting closer to them and identifying with the Nigerian team.
The female wrestler, Corporal Hannah Reuben who won the Gold Medal showed her appreciation to the Defence Chief for the platform given them to participate and to represent the country at the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship
Corporal Reuben said that “her mindset and hard work, preparation assisted her in defeating her opponent to lift the gold medal adding that this was not her first competition in sporting activities which helped her to win the Championship”.
She pledged to do better at the forthcoming African Military Games in 2024.
Another commendable performance was by Lance Corporal Esther Ojolaide who got silver medal in the 72 weight earlier at the event, for the opportunity given to them is a privilege which must be proved.
Lance Corporal Ojolaide said “to whom much is given, much is expected”.
Lance Corporal Ojolaide promised to do better and bring more medals to Nigeria.
The Coach, Warrant Officer Godswill Tiebiri says this is the first time of its kind that the team has won a Gold Medal since the inception of it since 1973.
The Coach said that “the team had broken a 50-year record by winning a Gold medal at the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship”.
