Nigeria Wrestling Federation takes World Championship preparation to Iowa

By Maxwell Kumoye 

 

 

 

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has intensified its build-up to the 2026 World Wrestling Championships with the establishment of a special training camp at Iowa State University in the United States.

The initiative, approved by NWF President Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, is designed to give Nigerian wrestlers access to quality facilities, stronger opposition and a more competitive environment ahead of the championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from October 24 to November 1.

Rather than relying solely on preparations at home, the federation is bringing together Nigerian wrestlers scattered across the United States, alongside selected athletes from Nigeria who have valid U.S. visas.

The camp will also serve as a potential talent pathway, with Nigerian-born wrestlers living in the United States who are eligible to compete for the country invited to train with the group.

For the NWF, the arrangement offers more than just a training opportunity. It is also aimed at expanding Nigeria’s wrestling talent base and creating a stronger connection between athletes competing and studying in the diaspora and those based at home.

Nigeria’s women’s wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, welcomed the decision, describing the Iowa project as a major boost to the team’s preparations.

Akuh noted that training in the United States would allow the wrestlers to work with modern facilities and gain valuable experience from regular exposure to high-level competition.

He specifically pointed to planned dual meets and opportunities to test the Nigerian wrestlers against the U.S. Army wrestling team and other quality competitors as experiences that could sharpen the team ahead of the world championships.

“This kind of opportunity exposes our wrestlers to world-class facilities, high-level competition and some of the best athletes and coaches in the sport,” Akuh said.

He also praised Adeniyi for making the resources available for the project, saying the federation’s investment in proper preparation would help the athletes approach the World Championships with greater confidence.

“I want to sincerely thank the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Adewale Adeniyi, for his tremendous contribution and continued support to our athletes and coaches,” he said.

The Iowa camp comes at a time when the NWF is seeking to raise the standard of Nigeria’s performance at the World Championships.

The country’s most recent medal at the competition was secured by Odunayo Adekuoroye in 2023, and the federation is now looking to produce another strong showing when the wrestling world converges on Astana later this year.

By combining home-based talent with wrestlers in the United States and eligible Nigerian-born athletes in the diaspora, the NWF hopes to enter the Kazakhstan championships with a deeper and better-prepared squad.

The Iowa initiative could therefore become an important piece in Nigeria’s quest to return to the World Championship medal podium.