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Tag: Odunayo Adekuoroye

  • Nigeria’s athlete elected into United World Wrestling Commission

    Nigeria’s athlete elected into United World Wrestling Commission

    Nigeria’s most decorated wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has been elected into the United World Wrestling ( UWW ) Athletes Commission.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an election was held at the just-concluded World Wrestling championships in France.

    Adekuoroye was among the seven people elected to represent the interest of athletes in the UWW.

    Daniel Igali, President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), told NAN that Adekuoroye clinching of a silver medal at the world championships contributed to her election into the commission.

    “She was the first Nigerian to win a silver medal at the world championships, thereby surpassed fellow Nigerian, Ifeoma Ihenacho who won bronze medals in 2009 and 2010, respectively,’’ he said.

    Igali, a Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold medallist for Canadian, said Adekuoroye is currently one of the most accomplished female wrestlers on the world stage.

    “The election took place at the last world championships.

    “The NWF had no reservations in forwarding her as a candidate for the athletes commission position and we were not disappointed.

    “This shows the steady progress we are making as a federation in all facets of sports development.

    “We hope Adekuoroye will make valuable contributions to the athletes commission and in uplifting the welfare of athletes on the world stage,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Adekuoroye, the Commonwealth gold medallist, has commended the leadership of the NWF for nominating her to serve on the world body.

    “Honestly, I am very delighted that the NWF nominated me and with the recognition by UWW, it is a great privilege for me to serve.

    “I am excited because my president and my coach have always believed in my capabilities to excel. They are a veritable source of encouragement to me,’’ she added.

  • World Wrestling Championships: Adekuoroye places Nigeria on medals table for first time

    World Wrestling Championships: Adekuoroye places Nigeria on medals table for first time

    Nigeria’s sensational wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has won a silver medal at the ongoing 2017 World Wrestling Championships in Paris, Francem making it the first time Nigeria is on the medals table.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adekuoroye narrowly lost to Haruna Okuno of Japan 4-5 in the final of the 55kg women’s freestyle. World Wrestling Championships selver medallist, Odunayo Adekuoroye.

    NAN also reports that Adekuoroye is ranked No. 1 in Africa and won gold in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in the U.S.

    Adekuoroye is now the first woman from Nigeria to march into the gold medal final at Senior World Wrestling Championships.

    The Ondo State-born wrestler started her campaign by defeating Mathilde Helene 13-9 in the qualification round to move to the Round of 16.

    She then proved to be too much for Lenka Martinakova as she defeated the Czech Republic wrestler 10-0.

    In her quarter-final match, the three-time African champion out-powered Mongolia’s Davaachimeg Erkhembayar 8-4 before going ahead to defeat U-23 European Champion, Irina Kurachkina of Belarus 10-0 in the semi-final.

    It was, however, unfortunate for seven-time African champion, Blessing Oborududu, who lost 7-8 to 31-year-old Jackeline Renteria Castillo of Colombia in the 63kg bronze medal match.

    The 28-year-old Nigerian led 5-2 after first period, but the Colombian fought back to victory.

    Oborududu had claimed a 10-2 victory over Mallory Velte of the U.S. in her opening match and then knocked out two-time world bronze medalist Taybe Yusein of Bulgaria 12-8.

    She, however, lost in the quarter-final to two-time Junior World medallist Orkhon Purevdorj on technical superiority.

    Also, Aminat Adeniyi was unlucky in the 58kg division as she was beaten in the quarter-final stage by Kagazkhan’s Tynybekova 4-3.

    The three-time African champion and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth gold medallist had earlier defeated European champion, Grace Bullen of Norway 9-8 and Czech Republic’s Hockova Martinakova 10-0.

    An elated President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, said that for the first time in the history of Nigeria’s wrestling, a wrestler made it to the medals table at the World Championships.

    “This is the first time in the history of wrestling in Nigeria that we have had someone in the final, not to talk of three athletes wrestling for medals in the same tournament on the same day at the world championships.

    “Well done girls, you have done so well,’’ he told NAN from Paris.

    The Olympian said with what he was seeing from the wrestlers, Mercy Genesis could win a gold medal.

    Igali noted that the Africa Games gold medallist is being propelled by the performances of both Blessing Oborududu and Odunayo Adekuoroye.

    “Our wrestlers can actually win medals.

    “God willing, it will be gold today for the Africa silver medallist, Mercy. She is a strong wrestler and I’m sure with what played out yesterday, she’ll put everything into her bouts’’.

    “We can win it all someday. The announcement of Nigeria hosting the 2018 Africa Wrestling Championships increased the morale of the team.

    “All I’ll say is that every Nigerian should continue to pray for the team,’’ said Igali.

    Nigeria’s Genesis begins her campaign on Thursday (today) against Miglena Selishka of Bulgaria in the first round of the 48kg female category.

  • African Wrestling Championships: Team Nigeria return with 8 gold, 2 silver

    African Wrestling Championships: Team Nigeria return with 8 gold, 2 silver

    NIGERIA wrestling contingent to the 2017 Senior African Wrestling Championships in Marrakech, Morocco returned to the country on Monday with a total of 10 medals consisting of eight gold and two silver medals.

    Out of the medals, the female wrestlers accounted for eight (six gold and two silvers) while their male counterpart won the remaining two gold medals.

    Olympian and All Africa Games champion, Mercy Miesinnei Genesis recorded three falls and a technical fall to win the gold medal in the 48kg.

    World No 7, Odunayo Adekuoroye, a 2015 world bronze medalist, Olympian and Commonwealth gold medalist, did not disappoint as she won gold in the 55kg.

    Aminat Adeniyi followed in the same direction by winning gold in the 58kg, so also Gofit Winnie, who won gold in the 75kg.

    Blessing Oborududu and new entrant, Kemeasuodei Dressman also gave Nigeria gold medals in the 69kg and 63kg respectively.

     

    Two other wrestlers, Bisola Makanjuola and Bose Samuel won silver medals in the 60kg and 53kg respectively.

    John Emmanuel defeated Maher GHANMI of Tunisia by 5-2 in the finals of the 70kg male freestyle category, while Soso Tamara completed the gold rush for Nigeria.

    However, the upset of the tournament is the failure of Olympian Amas Daniel, Welson Ebikewenimo (Commonwealth silver medalist) and All Africa Games gold medalist, Melvin Bibo and Praize Micheal 80kg to win medals of any color, while Praize Micheal 80kg could not pull a surprise in his first ever international appearance as he won one match and losing three.

    Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali has described the performance of the wrestlers as outstanding, considering the paucity of funds available during their preparations for the competition.

    Igali who was with the team in Morocco believes with sponsorship, the wrestlers can win medals at the 2020 Olympics.

    “I have to commend these wrestlers for putting up such performance and I am proud of them considering their preparations and circumstances surrounding the release of funds for the competition.

    “These wrestlers are outstanding. If we secure sponsorship for the wrestling team, medals in 2020 will be assured”, Igali said in a chat with Sportinglife.

     

  • 1,000 wrestlers for 2nd Dickson Wrestling Championship

    1,000 wrestlers for 2nd Dickson Wrestling Championship

    NOT less than 1,000 wrestlers will be participating at the 2nd Governor Seriake Dickson Wrestling Classics, which commence on Friday at the Indoor Hall of the Samson Siasia Sports complex, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.

    President Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Hon Daniel Igali in a press conference heralding the competition on Thursday said winners of the National Championship will represent Nigeria at the 2017 Africa Championship in Marrakech, Morocco next month.

    The weigh in of the Greco-Roman started on Thursday and 10 weight categories will be competing on Friday, while the female and male category will hold on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

    “This is one of the most important tournament in the country now and whosoever wins in the various categories will be selected to represent Nigeria,” the Olympic gold medalist said.

    “As at the last count, 15 states are in attendance including the Nigeria army. Star athletes like Odunayo Adekuoroye, Hannah Reuben, Tochukwu Okeke, Sinivie Boltic, Soso Tamara and a host of others. Aminat Adeniyi and Mercy Genesis both females are already in the country after participating in an international training tour,” he stated.

    The Bayelsa House of Assembly member thanked the state governor for supporting the Nigeria Wrestling Federation in organizing such National event promising not to let the nation down.

    “In the first edition of the Seriake Dickson, we were able to discover Emmanuel Nworie, Albert Parkistan, Mercy Genesis and others. The second edition will even be more better because we are planning to increase the weight category to create avenue for upcoming athletes”, he said.

    Earlier, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Hon Perekiye Buruboyefe said the state government is ready to make the event a success.

    “The facilities to accommodate the athletes and officials are in place. And I’m sure the athletes will have a good experience. The governor had approved the building of a new Wrestling hall to engage the Youth of our dear state,” the Commissioner said.

     

  • Adekuoroye wins Pro Wrestling League again with Punjab

    Adekuoroye wins Pro Wrestling League again with Punjab

    2015 World Championship bronze medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye has won the Pro Wrestling League season two with Punjab Royals, despite losing her first fight of the campaign to Sweden’s Sofia Mattsson in the final held on Thursday in India.

    The Nigerian wrestling sensation, whose performance at this year’s edition of the competition helped his team enrout to retaining their title however lost her final match 4-3 to the Swedish.

    In a replay of their bout at last year’s Rio Olympics, Sofia took a 1-0 lead in the first round thanks to a passivity point against Odunayo.

    The Punjab grappler managed to draw level at 1-1 before taking the lead. But Sofia equalised at 3-3. The final seconds saw high drama when Odunayo claimed a pushout.

    Her appeal was rejected by the judges following television replays and a penalty point was awarded to Sofia thus handing victory to the Rio Olympics bronze medalist.

    In the group stage on Tuesday, Adekuoroye saw of Sofia Mattsson 6-1 point after a keenly contested match.

    The three-time African champion fell to Sofia Mattsson of Sweden by fall at the 2015 world championships and again at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

    In the current ranking released by the United World Wrestling, Grand Prix Champion climbed one place to Number 7 after a winning the 55kg crown at the Golden Grand Prix Final.

    Punjab Royals produced a dramatic comeback to edge out Haryana Hammers 5-4 in the final of the second edition of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL) at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium.

    Haryana, who were beaten to the title in the final of the inaugural edition by the now renamed Mumbai Garudas, saw the trophy slip narrowly from their grasp for the second year in succession.

  • Adekuoroye loses first Pro fight

    Adekuoroye loses first Pro fight

  • Nigeria maintains winning streak in Indian League

    Nigeria maintains winning streak in Indian League

    Nigeria’s female wrestling sensation Odunayo Adekuoroye of Punjab Royals club has maintained a winning streak at the ongoing Season 2 of the official Indian Wrestling League.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the three fights she had engaged in so far, she defeated all her opponents 16-0.

    Her first match was against Betzabeth Arguello of Jaipur Ninjas 16-0, while the second was against Sangeeta phogat of Delhi Sultans 16-0 and the third against Pinki of Up Dangal 16-0.

    Daniel Igali, the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), told NAN that he was impressed with how she’s doing in the league, adding that she was in superb form.

    “ She’s a good wrestler and I am not surprised with what she’s doing in the league. She knows her craft and she’s good at it,’’ he said.

    The Olympian, however, urged her to keep up with the rate with which she started the league and not relent.

    “She has started well and impressed everyone and I want her to keep it up. I know challenge will arise but she should keep her head up.

    “She shouldn’t let anything bother her and not derail for any reason,’’ he said.

    Purity Akuh, Adekuoroye’s personal coach, who accompanied her to the competition, said she was amazing.

    “She has really been wrestling according to my instructions. It’s a good start to the season and its encouraging,’’ he said.

  • Igali laments uncertainty in Nigerian sports

    Igali laments uncertainty in Nigerian sports

    Having tasted what it takes to compete at global levels in sports, coupled with his managerial experience as an administrator, Daniel Igali is very bitter over the uncertainty in Nigerian sports.
    Igali, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has picked holes in the idea of sports federation not knowing their specific budget for a whole year.
    “The idea of sports federations relying on Ministry of Youth and Sports is not too good for our sports. In Nigeria, it is only the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that gets its fund directly from government, while other sports will have to rely on the decisions of the ministry of Youth and Sports. This is not too good for our development and it puts other sports federations on uncertainty level. We cannot continue like this for sports to thrive and this is really affecting other sports. And those in the ministry seem not to understand what sports is all about,” he lamented.
    For the United World Wrestling-organised 2016 Golden Grand Prix holding in Azerbaijan, Igali disclosed that Odunayo Adekuoroye and Aminat Adeniyi have decided to raise funds to be part of the championship.
    Meanwhile, three gold medallists from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and three more from London 2012 headline a field of world and Olympic Games medal winners at the Golden Grand Prix Final getting under way Thursday.
    Rio 2015 gold medallist Taha AKGUL (TUR) will help kick off the freestyle events on the first day of the three-day tourney. while Greco-Roman gold medalists Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) and Mijain LOPEZ NUNEZ (CUB) will bring the curtain down on Saturday.
    London 2012 gold medal winners Togrul ASGAROV (AZE), Sharif SHARIPOV (AZE) and Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) are also slated to compete in freestyle on the first day of wrestling at Baku Sports Hall.
    The tournament holds at Baku Sports Hall and it ends on Saturday November 24.

  • Olympics: Nigeria’s hope for medals dwindles further

    Olympics: Nigeria’s hope for medals dwindles further

  • My dream, aspiration for Rio olympic games – Adekuoroye

    My dream, aspiration for Rio olympic games – Adekuoroye

    Odunayo Adekuoroye was known globally as the dancing wrestler because of her distinctive celebration style after every victory. She has become a known face in the sport that she was among the few athletes invited globally to take part in the lucrative Indian Wrestling League.

    From 2014 till date, Adekuoroye has won a lot of laurels for Nigeria including a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championship to become the second Nigerian after Ifeoma Iheanacho, who won bronze medals in 2009 and 2010.

    A determined Adekuoroye told NationSport yesterday that she is ready to become the first Nigerian to win an Olympics medal in wrestling.

    “I am still believing in my dream which is to become an Olympics champion and the first Nigerian to achieve such feat. By the grace of God, I will not relent in my training and make sure I put in my best to actualize my dream of winning an Olympics medal,” she said.

    As long as Adekuoroye is willing to put Nigeria on the world map, she is not too happy with the preparation to the Rio Olympic Games, saying, “Most of my opponents have been featured in nothing less than three major competitions this year, while I only took part in one and these are the same athletes I am expected to compete against in Brazil.

    “With just 100 days to the Olympics, we have not really started our preparation and I am still wondering that despite all the honours that wrestling has brought to this nation, most of the country’s millionaires haven not deem it fit to support the sport but they are all looking forward to the athletes to win medals. This is not too good,” she lamented.

    The African champion would forever remain grateful to the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministry (MFM), Pastor Danile Olukoya for his unflinching support for her, adding that the cleric has continued to inspire her with tremendous support.

    Adekuoroye is the first Nigerian wrestler to secure her place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after claiming third place in the women’s 53kg freestyle at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas, USA.

    dekuoroye, a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, recorded a 10-0 Technical Fall (TF) against Belarusian Nadzeya Shushko and then a 4-0 win by Pin over Asian champion Zhong Xuechun of China in the second repechage round at The Orleans Arena in U.S.

    However, four other female wrestlers, including two males have joined Adekuoroye to secure their spots at the Rio Olympic Games.