Wrestling: Mr. Sharpman, the pride of Imo state, set to present African title belt to governor

For sometime now, the Nigerian media space has been awash with news about the exploit of Nigerian wrestler, Augustine Okafor A.K.A Sharpman who recently won the vacant PWA- Africa Light heavyweight title.
Sharpman who before now has been a torn in the flesh of tag team fighters decided to take the bull by the horn to go solo and challenge dreaded USA Bing of Democratic Republic of Congo, that country’s Light heavyweight champion for the African title.
The End of Year Wrestling Extravaganza tagged
‘Night of the Kings’ was witnessed by many wrestling fans on Sunday, December, 24, 2023 at the
Wrestling Arena of the National Stadium Surulere Lagos.
Sharpman in his usual self did not disappoint his fans as he recorded a pinfall against his Congolese opponent in the first ten minutes of their 15 minutes time limit allowed for the fight.
The title which came as a Christmas gift to Nigerians by the renowned grappler did not come to those who know his prowess as a surprise because apart from having a great pedigree in the mats man game since joining the paid ranks, Sharpman has competed in many African countries namely; Cameroon, Mali, Central African Republic, Ghana and Benin Republic.
Before winning the continental title, he has defeated great wrestlers such as Hulk Power of Benin Republic, Power Vic, Mighty Progress, Black Ninja, Zion Lion, Young Power Mike and a host of others.
At the continental level, he wrestled with Hulk Power of Benin Republic whom he defeated, squared up with Cameroon’s Kirikou during Pro -Wrestling Africa’s Battle of Yaoundé 2015 in Yaoundé, Cameroon and defeated him as a master of the game while The Wolf NDA, also from Cameroon, was a visiting wrestler during the ‘’Asaba 2016 Return of Glory’’ at Asaba, Delta State and will not forget Sharpman’s prowess in the ring in his lifetime as they both squared off together.
Prior to the fight, the Okporo, Orlu Imo State born grappler who stormed Lagos in 1984 at the tender age of 12 and under went wrestling tutelage in the hands of Lion Bone in 1989 at the National Stadium Surulere Lagos before Jimmy Palm, De African Dream
did the finishing touches and impacted in him with pro- wrestling skills that turned him into a super star.

Sharppey as he is fondly called by his
fans and other wrestlers had Mike Bing of Congo as his first opponent in Lagos in 1990 and listed Stephen Mba of Cameroon now based in Canada as his toughest opponent, while his most memorable match was with The Wolf NDA presently based in Texas, USA, at Asaba, Delta State of Nigeria in 2016. His most memorable match at the tag team level was the match against the African Demons in 2011 in Lagos.
The celebrated Sharpman, who made his mark as a tag team fighter before deciding to take the bull by the horn and fight as an individual describes Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan as his heros was emphatic prior to the fight that he will present the belt to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State,; his home state immediately he wins the title and he’s already preparing to do that.
In his words, he said “Any river that forgets his source will definitely dry up.
“Before my title fight, I made a pledge that if I win the title, the first person I will present the belt to is Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State as a sign of appreciation for his efforts at giving dividends of democracy to the state, fatherly blessings to enable him forge ahead for further laurels, empowering youths through sports as well as to congratulate him for winning second ticket as the governor of the state and am looking forward to that visit soon.

Now that Sharpman has won the title and put his home state on the world wrestling map, there is need for all Imolites both at home and in the Diaspora to support him both morally and financially towards achieving greater heights in the mats man game.