Nigerian wrestlers depart Spain for Germany ahead of final camping before Olympics
The Nigeria wrestling contingent left Madrid, Spain for Germany in what is their last camping before the Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The wrestlers who participated in Spanish Grand Prix, a pre-Olympic tournament in Madrid, had Esther Kolawole 62kg and Ogunsanya Christinah 53kg recorded bronze for Team Nigeria respectively.
Ogunsanya defeated her USA counterpart Brianne Gonzales (10-0) to win Bronze medal while Kolawole beat Swedish Johanna Lindborg by (8-0) for the Bronze Medal.
Multiple time world medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye lost (4-4) on technical grounds to Norwegian Othile Hole in the quarter- final.
Similarly, African champion, Hannah Reuben lost her first bout to Tatiana R. her Colombia opponent (3-0).
Reacting to the performance of the team, the female Head Coach Akuh Purity said it was an opportunity for the wrestlers to warm-up ahead of the Paris Games.
“It was a good outing for our girls in the sense that it offered us opportunity to look at areas we needed to improve on.”
“It also gave the wrestlers the avenue to wrestle competitively although not as if it were to be in Paris, but it was great and we have known areas we need to improve upon.” Purity stated.
Before the team’s departure for Germany on Monday, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation President Daniel Igali, charged the contingents led by the Secretary General, Mohammed Maigidansanma, to learn from all that transpired in Madrid for their technical advantage.