Tag: Adekuoroye

Mrs Omotola Janet Adekuoroye,  mother of Nigeria’s lone wrestler currently qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Odunayo Adekuoroye has been laid to rest in Akure,  Ondo State. 

A statement released by Tony Nezianya, PRO of NOC,  noted that she was buried according to Christian burial rights. Before her interment, a funeral service was held at the Prophetic Church of Nigeria,  Mount Beulah Zone Church ( PCN). 

Mrs. Adekuoroye,  71, died on October 17, 2023, and was buried on December 9, 2023. 

There were testimonies to the humble nature of the deceased who had lived well in many cities in which the husband, Most Superintendent General Joshua Akinsanmi Adekuoroye,  Minister in Charge,  served in the Nigerian Police Force including,  Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom,  Calabar,  Cross Rivers,  Enugu, Enugu State,  Oturkpo,  Benue,  Lagos, before returning to Akure,  Ondo State. 

She was a sportswoman during her lifetime, no wonder that one of her prominent daughters,  Odunayo took after her in the field of wrestling sport and rose to fame as a seven-time medal winner in the Commonwealth Games,  Gold medals in the African Games and the World Championships. 

Among the prominent personalities at the interment was the likes President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr Habu Gumel, represented by Tony Nezianya, the PRO of NOC and Daniel Igali,  President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation represented by Mohammed H. Maigidansanma,  Secretary-General of the Wrestling Federation. 

Also in attendance were officials from the Ondo State Commission led by Otunba Dele Ologen, and the state Wrestling Association headed by their Chairman, Mr Stephen Ogundibie, as well as members of the Prophetic Church of Nigeria. 

Read Also: Adekuoroye grabs  Paris 2024 wrestling ticket

During the church service, eulogies were given in honour of Mrs Omotola Janet Adekuoroye, highlighting her dedication to her family, her role as a pillar of strength for her husband, and her support for her daughter’s wrestling career.

In his tribute, Engr Habu Gumel, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, expressed his condolences to the Adekuoroye family and praised Mrs Adekuoroye’s contribution to Nigerian sports. He emphasized that her legacy would continue to inspire athletes in the country.

Daniel Igali, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, also paid tribute to Mrs Adekuoroye and acknowledged her role in shaping her daughter’s successful wrestling career. He assured the family of the Federation’s continued support for Odunayo Adekuoroye as she prepares for the Paris Olympic Games.

The interment of Mrs.Adekuoroye was a solemn event, with prayers and hymns offered for the repose of her soul. Family and well-wishers gathered at her graveside, paying their final respects and bidding farewell to a beloved mother, wife, and sports enthusiast.

The passing of Mrs Omotola Janet Adekuoroye is a great loss not only to her family but also to the Nigerian wrestling community. Her influence and support will always be remembered, and her memory will continue to inspire upcoming athletes in the country. 

Late Mrs Adekuoroye is survived by her husband and five children two men and three ladies including Wrestler Odunayo.

Nigeria’s wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has nicked a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France.

World number 22, Adekuoroye, booked her place at next year’s games after winning a bronze medal at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

In Wednesday’s bronze medal match, Adekuoroye defeated World number 12 Elvira Kamaloglu of Turkey 9-5 points in the 57kg category to clinch the much desired Olympics ticket for the third time.

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The 29-year-old becomes the first Nigerian wrestler to pick a ticket to the games.

She has now qualified for her third consecutive Olympic Games after appearing at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

Silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Blessing Oborududu, lost to Russia’s Vusala Parfianovich in the women’s 68kg quarter-finals and must attend remaining competitions to realize her back-to-back Olympics dream.

.As Igali rues paucity of funds

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has confirmed that 13 wrestlers will participate at the 2016 African Wrestling Championship which holds from 4th to 6th of March 2016 in Alexandria, Egypt.

The African championship in Egypt is a prerequisite to the Olympic qualifications scheduled for March 30th to April 4th in Algeria.

The team that is expected to depart the shores of the country today (Wednesday) consists of one Greco Roman Wrestler, Four freestyle male wrestlers, eight female wrestlers, while five coaches, a secretary, a person from the National Sports Commission (NSC) will accompany the team.

Male freestyle wrestlers are; Amas Daniel (65kg), Soso Tamara (96kg), Welson Ebikewenimo (67kg) and Melvin Bibo (74 kg) while  Nworie Emmanuel (56 kg) is the only Greco Roman wrestler.

The female wrestlers are Adekuoroye Odunayo, Adeniyi Aminat, Oborududu Blessing, Rueben Hannah, Onyebuchi Blessing, Nweke Rosemary, Genesis Mercy and Nwoye Ifeoma.

The officials are head coach, Victor Kodei, Purity Akuh (Female Coach), Emeka Obidinma, Godswill Tiebiri and Damian Ohaike.

The team has been in Bayelsa camp which was bankrolled by the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon Daniel Igali.

In a chat with SportingLife on Tuesday, Igali lamented the inability of the federation to get access to necessary funds which has now hindered the team’s plan for the championship.

“Nworie Emmanuel, the only Greco Roman wrestler in the team who won gold at the All Africa Games is at the airport right now getting ready to board. We just scramble for the wrestler and his coach to go there and wait for the team and then see if we can source for more funds for others to go tomorrow.

“It has not been easy to get funds for this trip, as I am talking with you I am discussing with a bank manager to see if we can get something, that is the level we are. But that is the job you have said you want to do, so I’m not complaining.”

When asked about his expectation from the team in Egypt, the wrestling federation boss replied, “I don’t even know, I don’t have any expectation. I just want to get to Egypt and I’m still looking for money. If we cannot go to Egypt, we would not be able to present wrestlers for the Olympic qualifier in Algeria.”

Nigeria sensation, Odunayo Adekuoroye is the only female wrestler who has qualified for the Olympics in Africa.

RIO d’Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games medal hopeful, Odunayo Adekuoroye has expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari after honouring her for winning bronze medal at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas, USA.

Buhari, at the reception for Nigeria athletes and officials who did the nation proud at international competition in Abuja, announced a token reward of N1.2million for Adekuoroye while the coaches got N600, 000.00 each.

“I want to use this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to President Buhari for this reward, I never expected to be among those that will be honoured today. This has really showed that whatever one is doing, there is always a reward for it,” the 2014 Commonwealth gold medalist told SportingLife on telephone.

“I also appreciate my president, Hon Daniel Igali and other members of the federation, my coach, family, friends and Nigerians for their support and prayers at all time. I will continue to train hard and do my best to ensure I bring more honour and glory for this country especially at the coming Olympic Games,” she assured.

It will be recalled that Adekuoroye qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics after winning a bronze medal at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas, USA.

In the year 2015 in review, the Nigeria’s highly rated wrestler became a two-time Africa Champion, double bronze medalist at both World Wrestling Championship held in Las Vegas, USA and the World Grand Prix in Baku Azerbaijan.

Nigeria’s hero, Adekuoroye 53Kg, was crowned best female wrestler at maiden concluded Pro Wrestling League in Delhi, India where she helped her club, Mumbai Garudu to the title. She maintained a perfect record: fought 6 bouts, winning all six battles and four (4) were by technical superiority, as she remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

.Shifts focus to Rio Olympic Games

NIGERIAN sensational wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye arrived Lagos yesterday amidst loud cheers and warm reception.

Adekuoroye who was adjudged the Best Woman Wrestler at the just concluded Pro Wrestling League in Delhi, India where she led her team, Mumbai Garudu to the title was received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport alongside her coach, Purity Akuh by a large crowd including members of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Nigeria Wrestling Federation, members of the  Supporters Club and wrestling fans.

While expressing gratitude to the reception, the 2014 Commonwealth gold medallist is now focused on making the country proud at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

She said: “When I was going, I just thought I was going to fight against those wrestlers that I will meet at the Olympics, wrestle them and then come back to the drawing board maybe to correct the mistakes I notice, but it turned out to be a perfect competition for me.

“Coming here and meeting this kind of reception, I am so happy. It’s not me that they have come to honour, but to honour my God. And by His mercy will honour them. I am very proud of them.