NAN-S-5
Wrestling
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye
Lagos, May 4, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) on Thursday said it was impressed by the performances of its wrestlers at the just-concluded 2017 Senior African Wrestling championships in Marrakech, Morocco.
The NWF’s President, Daniel Igali, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that he was proud of the way the wrestlers performed at the continental competition.
NAN reports that the championships held from April 26 to April 30.
The players had to leave in batches due to the paucity of funds. But the intervention of Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and the Nigerian Army salvaged the situation.
“I am impressed by their performances, they did absolutely well. All bouts were impressive.
“They all showed improvements from my assessment of them compared to how they performed at the previous outing,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the wrestlers clinched 10 medals consisting of eight gold and two silver medals.
The female gold medallists are Miesinnei Mercy Genesis (48kg), Odun Adekuoroye (55kg), Aminat Adeniyi (58kg), Blessing Oborududu (63kg), Kemeasuodei Dressman (69kg) and Winnie Gofit (75kg).
The male gold medallists are John Emmanuel (70kg) and Soso Tamara (97kg).
The silver medallist are Bose Samuel (53kg) and Makanjuola Bisola (60kg) both females.
Igali, who is also a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, however, cautioned against comparing the performances of the male wrestlers with that of the females.
He said that there should be no basis for comparisons because the level of exertion was different.
“ That the women won more medals doesn’t mean that the female are better than the men,’’ he said.
The Olympian thanked the wrestlers and advised them not to relent in their efforts at getting better.
“I must say that I appreciate all the federations’ wrestlers. They all have good fighting spirit.
“Getting better requires more training and discipline. When they truly possess these two key ingredients they are bound to do well in the sport,’’ Igali said. (NAN)
SEY/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)