Nigeria crowned African Women Wrestling Champions again

...As Harrison mines men’s Gold

By Maxwell Kumoye 

 

 

Nigeria once again underlined its dominance on the continental stage, clinching a record-extending 15th African women’s wrestling title at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Nigerian women delivered a commanding performance, securing eight gold and two silver medals from the 10 events to comfortably emerge overall champions. 

It was a statement of intent from a team that has consistently set the standard in African wrestling.

Building on a strong opening day that yielded four gold medals, the second day began with Mercy Genesis continuing the momentum. 

The Commonwealth champion overwhelmed Tunisia’s Chahrazed Ayachi 6-0 to ignite another wave of victories.

Adijat Idris followed suit in the 55kg category, dominating Lobna Ichaoui of Tunisia with an 8-0 win. 

The gold rush continued as Esther Asaolu brushed aside Egypt’s Mariam Mosbeh 10-0 in the 59kg division.

One of Nigeria’s most experienced stars, Mercy Adekuoroye, capped off a flawless run in the 65kg category with a clinical pinfall victory over Central African Republic’s Lec Hej Marlyne Ande, sealing an emphatic day for the team.

The only blemish came in the 72kg final, where Ebi Biogos narrowly missed gold despite leading late in her bout, eventually falling 6-2 to Tunisia’s Zaineb Sghaier to settle for silver.

In the men’s freestyle events, Nigeria initially appeared destined for a series of near-misses, but Harrison Onovwiomogbhwo flipped the script in spectacular fashion. 

He stunned home favourite Mohamed Mostafa of Egypt with a 10-4 victory to claim Nigeria’s only gold medal in the category.

There were also silver medals for Ebierelayefa Andrew (74kg) and Stephen Akintewe (65kg), both of whom fell short in their respective finals against Egyptian opponents.

Nigeria’s medal tally in the men’s division was further boosted by bronze medal performances. Dideikemei Erefagha delivered a dominant 12-0 win over Chad’s Elie Djekoundakom in the 70kg, while Solomon Ulabo secured victory via pinfall against Madagascar’s Totiana Razafinjato in the 79kg category. 

In the 61kg event, Saviour Egoli edged Tunisia’s Mustapha Batnini to claim another bronze.

The men’s team ultimately finished third overall, ensuring a podium placement and rounding off a successful championship for Nigeria.

Once again, the tournament highlighted Nigeria’s enduring strength in women’s wrestling, while also showcasing growing promise in the men’s ranks, an encouraging sign for the country’s future on the global stage.