Wrestling Championship
Top female wrestlers dumped doubts as to whether they can be dethroned at the ongoing maiden edition of the Governor Wike Wrestling National Wrestling Championship taking place in Port Harcourt.
The ranking female wrestlers took to the mats as the championship winds down today with a colourful closing ceremony being planned by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
In one of the fights, Ifeoma Nwoye (Anambra) subdued Blessing Sunday (Delta club) in the 55kg Freestyle first round, just as Blessing Oborodudu (Bayelsa) in 68kg floored Igwe Micheve (Enugu).
Commonwealth gold medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye (Ondo) had little fuss in beating Faziuya Babadu (Nigeria Army) in the 57kg freestyle, Mercy Genesis (Bayelsa) beat Mausi Vivian (Lagos) in the 50kg.
As at press time, Adaku Favour (Rivers State), Adaku Ugochukwu (Nigeria Army), Winnie Gofit (Nigeria Army), Juliet Ogu (Bayelsa state), Chuks Christiana (Delta) and Blessing Onyebuchi (Edo) were expected to do battle in the 76kg weight female category.
In the female 65kg weight category, Cecilia James (Ondo), Reuben Hannah (Nigeria Army), Ebi Biogos (Bayelsa), Bukky Adeyanju (NSCDC) and Adeyanju Bukola (Lagos state) were paired to battle for honours.
Expected to battle for glory in the 62kg weight category are Aminat Adeniyi (Ondo State), Esther Ayodele (Police), Faith Temene (Bayelsa) and Essien Akoh (Cross Rivers).
Meanwhile, officials and wrestlers have continued to commend Governor Wike for sponsoring the wrestling championship and the quality of facilities available for the contest.
Assistant Coach of Edo State, Edith Obanor, praised the facilities available for the championship, saying they were comparable to anywhere in the world.
She commended Edo wrestlers, who she says have done well so far, winning four gold and three silver medals, just as she hoped for more medals in coming contests.
Head Coach of Nigeria Army Wrestling Team, Sergeant Duke Adindu said the championship has provided his wrestlers with the opportunity to test their strength against quality opponents and commended the organizers for a good competition.
Also speaking, Commonwealth and African champion, Aminat Adeniyi of Ondo State said she was ready for any opponent, adding that the Wike Championship has been of great value to the wrestlers.
