Nigeria Wrestling Federation Announces Overseas Training for Paris Olympics.
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has announced that its wrestlers will commence an overseas training programme in Saarbrucken, Germany, starting on Monday. This stage of preparation is part of the build-up for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
NWF President Daniel Igali confirmed that the overseas training will follow the conclusion of the current local camp in Yenagoa, which wraps up on Sunday. “Preparations for the Olympics are proceeding smoothly. We have been in camp in Yenagoa for over two weeks, and the training has been going well,” Igali stated.
The team includes five Olympic-bound athletes and three training partners each. Ashton Mutuwa, the only male wrestler among the Olympic qualifiers, is currently based in the United States and has not yet joined the camp. However, Odunayo Adekuoroye, also based in the U.S., has now joined the team. Igali explained that Mutuwa will join the overseas camp directly due to his effective training situation in the U.S., which is being closely monitored by the federation.
“Adekuoroye has focused on pacing and strength training. We believe that she has good training partners here in Nigeria that will truly prepare her for the Olympics, as we have high hopes for her performance,” Igali added.
The wrestlers are expected to train in Germany for three weeks, with plans to stay until the end of July. “We won’t begin competing until August 5, and we would like to spend four days in the Games Village prior to our events,” Igali explained.
Purity Akuh, head coach of the female wrestling team, expressed confidence in the athletes’ preparation. “The athletes and their training partners are working diligently. We expect each qualified athlete to win medals at the Paris Games,” Akuh stated.
Nigeria will be represented by six wrestlers at the Olympics: five females and one male. The team includes Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Blessing Oborodudu (68kg), Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), Hannah Reuben (76kg), Christiana Ogunsanya (62kg), Esther Kolawole (62kg), and Ashton Mutuwa (125kg).
With rigorous preparation and the upcoming overseas training, the NWF is optimistic about the team’s performance at the Paris Olympics.
