Six wrestlers will qualify for Rio Olympics, Igali assures

President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, is confident that at least four to six wrestlers would pick tickets to fly Nigeria’s flag at the Rio Olympics in Brazil.

Nigerian wrestlers will be competing at the Olympics trials scheduled for March 30 and April 4 in Algiers, Algeria.

Team Nigeria will be challenging in five different weight categories in the male and female events.

The wrestlers achieved a noteworthy success at the just concluded African Wrestling Championship in Alexandra, Egypt, which is a precondition to the Olympics qualification.

At the meet in Egypt, Daniel Amas won gold in the male category while world bronze medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye and seven-time African champion, Blessing Oborodudu, both also won gold medal in the ladies category.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Igali, who is also the chairman, Technical and Development Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, said the wrestlers are already in Abuja preparing for the pre-Olympic trials. “They are all in Abuja right now undergoing training sessions before their departure to Algiers on March 29,” he said.

The former world and Olympics champion said: “I have no doubt in my mind that we will qualify a minimum of four to six wrestlers from the Olympics trials in Algeria.

“More importantly is the fact that there is no injury worry among the wrestlers. I am hoping that everybody will be safe and sound and will be going to Algiers to make Nigeria proud,” he added.

It will be recalled that Adekuoroye will not be participating at the Olympics qualifiers by virtue of her bronze medal at last year’s Senior World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, USA.