By Peter Omopo
Nigeria delivered a strong performance at the 40th African Wrestling Championships held in Casablanca, Morocco, finishing second overall behind Egypt in the medal standings.
Team Nigeria secured a total of 12 medals—10 gold, one silver, and one bronze—trailing Egypt, which topped the table with 24 medals, including 11 gold, eight silver, and five bronze.
The Nigerian women’s team emerged as the highlight of the tournament, dominating the freestyle events by winning nine out of the 10 available gold medals. The sole exception was the 57kg category, claimed by Algeria’s Chaimaa Aouissi.
Nigeria’s gold medalists in the women’s freestyle events included Mercy Genesis (50kg), Christianah Ogunsanya (53kg), Adijat Idris (55kg), Jumoke Adekoye (59kg), Esther Kolawole (62kg), Ebipatei Mughenbofa (65kg), Hannah Rueben (68kg), Ebi Biogos (72kg), and Damola Ojo (76kg).
The team’s performance reinforced Nigeria’s status as a wrestling powerhouse on the African continent.
