President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Ighali has described the just concluded All Africa Games and Olympic qualifiers trials as a success.
Ighali gave the commendation at the end of the two-day National wrestling trials in Yenagoa in the Bayelsa State capital.
The former Olympic champion noted that he was pleased with the nation’s wrestlers particularly the young wrestlers who distinguished themselves in the trials, pointing out that his joy was that every weight class was well contested for in the two-day event.
According to him, with adequate preparation the wrestlers are going to come out in flying colours in the All Africa games, maintaining that for the athletes to conquer Africa they must have a minimum of a month’s camping for athletes to compete favourably with their peers.
While appreciating the Bayelsa State government for the support extended to the wrestling federation to host the All Africa games and Olympic games trials, Igali said he was impressed with the rapid growth of the young wrestlers, especially Harrison Israel and Stephen Simon who according to him have performed beyond expectations.
He explained that 18 athletes have qualified for the All Africa games while 22 athletes would be going for the Africa wrestling championship in Alexandria, Egypt, pointing out that Nigeria would present a full female team having won the female category last year in Hammamet, Tunisia.
The NWF president praised the officiating officials and the technical team for their professionalism to ensure everything went smoothly throughout the trials.
In the meantime, 12th-time Africa champion and Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Blessing Oborodudu has secured a place in next month’s All Africa games in Accra, Ghana.