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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has unveiled 6 athletes who will fly the nation’s flag at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
The team, which comprises five female wrestlers, one male freestyle wrestler and three coaches, was presented on Monday in a colourful ceremony at the Dynamite Wrestling gym in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Wrestlers unveiled are: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), reigning African champion, Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), and Military world champion, Hannah Reuben (76kg).
Also, reigning African champions and debutants, Esther Kolawole (62kg) and Ogunsanya Christinah (53kg), while Ashton Mutuwa completes the list in the (125kg) men’s freestyle wrestling. Coaches are, Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh, and Happiness Burutu.
The President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, in his remarks, expressed confidence that the nation’s wrestlers will put up a good performance at this year’s Olympics.
“The Nigeria Wrestling Federation is a very serious federation, the athletes have been in camp training for couple of weeks now and in my view they’re prepared.
“The athletes won’t be going to Paris to participate but to compete, and you know when someone competes, is for medals, and we are hoping that if we compete very well, the medals will come.” Igali said.
Earlier, the Bayelsa State Government, through the secretary to the state government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei said farewell to the contingents and urged then to make Nigerians proud.
““Our love for the Olympics today is the reason we are here. So, I enjoin you to make the nation proud at the games by competing clean and bringing glory back home so we all can celebrate.” Ayawei said.
The athletes and officials are to depart Nigeria for Spain on 3rd July for a pre Olympic tournament in Madrid before settling in Germany for their last camping ahead of the games proper.
