By Hosea Parah
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged Team Nigeria to represent the country with pride at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The contingent left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday, October 23. The championships run until November 1.
Nigeria is sending 11 wrestlers, made up of eight women and three men. Adeniyi, who is also the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), bade the athletes farewell before their departure.
He urged them to turn their dominance in Africa into strong performances at the world level and to establish Nigeria as a force in international wrestling.
“We must represent Nigeria with pride and strive for victory on the global stage. Having dominated the African continent, the time has come for us to translate that success into outstanding performances at the world level.
“The federation has high expectations for this team, and we believe the athletes have what it takes to make Nigeria proud and restore the country’s medal-winning fortunes at the World Wrestling Championships,” Adeniyi said.
The federation is particularly hopeful that the team will end Nigeria’s three-year medal drought at the championships. The event is seen as a major test of the country’s progress in the sport as its wrestlers try to build on their continental successes.
The female wrestlers are Genesis Mercy Miesinnei (50kg), Ogunsanya Christianah Tolulope (53kg), Idris Adijat Avorshai (55kg), Adekoye Jumoke Bukola (57kg), Asaolu Esther Olamide (59kg), Kolawole Esther (62kg), Adekuoroye Mercy (68kg), and Ojo Damola Hannah (76kg).
The male wrestlers are Akintewe Stephen Tope (65kg), Andrew Ebierelayefa Allison (74kg) and Onovwiomogbhwo Harrison (97kg).
The coaches are Akuh Purity, Blessing Oborududu, Agberekeme Areh and Kadel Jacob Lee. The officials are Adeniyi, Vice President, Amkpila Christopher, and Secretary General, Ademisoro Bode Oluwasegun.