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By Amos Odhe
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, NWF, Daniel Igali has heaped praises on Odunayo Adekuoroye following her automatic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics in France.
Hon. Igali in a statement through the NWF media assistant, Promise Okotoko, on Friday, lauded the performance of Adekuoroye at the ongoing Senior World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Adekuoroye won a bronze medal in the Women’s 57kg Freestyle Wrestling category after beating Elvira Kamaloglu of Turkey 9-5 points on Wednesday.
The victory made Adekuoroye a 4-time World medalist, become the first Nigerian wrestler to automatically qualify for Paris 2024 Olympic games.
“Despite other athletes missing out in the automatic qualification race for Paris 2024, Odunayo fought like the champion she is to win the bronze medal,” Igali said.
An elated Igali said “I am so happy that she has bounced back in great fashion, remember she has been away for a while.”
The NWF president who noted that Nigerians have high hopes for the Wrestling Federation after recent exploits on the international stage, said no cause for alarm, acknowledging that other athletes, led by Blessing Oborududu, all put in great efforts to qualify for the Olympics.
“Of course we were disappointed we didn’t get more podium finishes as expected, which would’ve eased the pressure, but no worries at all.
“Anybody can have a bad day and Belgrade was one of those days, the athletes were disappointed, but we need to quickly get back on the grind and look forward to the next Olympic qualifiers in Alexandria in Egypt in March next year.
The world and Olympic champion while thanking the sports ministry, Nigeria Olympic Committee and the Bayelsa State Government and CG Customs for aiding their Belgrade trip, added that with continuous support, the federation would give good preparations for the athletes ahead of other Olympic qualifying competitions. Igali assures all wrestling fans and lovers of sports that not only will the country qualify a good number of wrestlers in subsequent Olympic qualifying events, but expresses confidence that Nigerian wrestlers will make the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.