Nigerian wrestlers leave Spain for Germany ahead of their final camp before the Olympics

Nigerian wrestlers leave Spain for Germany ahead of their final camp before the Olympics

The Nigerian wrestling contingent left Madrid, Spain for Germany for what will be their last camp before the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The wrestlers who participated in the Spanish Grand Prix, a pre-Olympic tournament in Madrid, saw Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Ogunsanya Christinah (53kg) take record bronze for the Nigerian team respectively.

Ogunsanya defeated her American counterpart Brianne Gonzales (10-0) to win the bronze medal, while Kolawole defeated Sweden’s Johanna Lindborg (8-0) to claim the bronze medal.

Multiple world medallist Odunayo Adekuoroye lost (4-4) for technical reasons to Norwegian Othile Hole in the quarter-finals.

Similarly, African champion Hannah Reuben lost her first fight to Tatiana R., her Colombian opponent (3-0).

Reacting to the team’s performance, women’s head coach Akuh Purity assessed that it was an opportunity for the wrestlers to warm up ahead of the Paris Games.

“It was a good outing for our girls in the sense that it gave us the opportunity to look at areas where we needed to improve.”

“It also gave the fighters a chance to compete, although not like in Paris, but it was great and we know what areas we need to improve,” Purity said.

Before the team’s departure for Germany on Monday, Nigeria Wrestling Federation President Daniel Igali tasked the contingents led by Secretary General Mohammed H. Maigidansanma to learn from what transpired in Madrid for their technical advantage.

Post views: 27