President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation Daniel Igali has told the media that he is very proud of the performance of Team Nigeria at the ongoing World Wrestling Championships in Paris, France.
Commonwealth Champion Odunayo Adekuoroye became Nigeria’s first-ever silver medal winner at the Championships following her 5-4 loss to Japan’s Haruna Okuno in the final of the 55kg weight class. Another Nigerian Blessing Oborududu (63kg) controversially missed out of a bronze medal after losing 8-7 to her Colombian opponent, Jackeline Castillo while Aminat Adeniyi (58kg) and youngster, Mercy Genesis (48kg) failed to win any medal.
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“She (Adekuoroye) wrestled very well, I’m extremely proud of her, she is 23,” an elated Igali spoke of Adekuoroye via a telephone conversation with our correspondent from Paris.
“You know; if we are going to prepare for the 2020 (Olympics), these are the matches we need.
“I was so extremely happy with her (Adekuoroye), happy with Blessing Oborududu, happy with Aminat (Adeniyi). All three girls wrestled to the best of their abilities. I can’t fault any one of them for anything. This is what we need.
“And considering the circumstances, considering what we passed through to even get here (Paris), oh. I’m so extremely happy with their performance and their results,” he said.
Two Nigerian male wrestlers are expected to be in action on the final day of competition on Saturday. They are debutant John Emmanuel (70kg) and multiple African Champion, Amas Daniel (65kg).