Nigerian wrestlers await sparring partners in Rio

Daniel Igali, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, on Monday said the wrestling team was awaiting diligently the arrival in Rio of their training partners approved by the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.

Igali told the News Agency of Nigeria on telephone from Rio that the four training partners were expected to arrive on Tuesday.

“I am made to know they will arrive here on Tuesday and this is a good development. This will further help in preparing the wrestlers,” he said.

NAN reports that Olympic wrestling will commence on August 14 and Nigeria will be competing on August 17, 18 and 21.

Igali said the wrestlers had been training with the coaches since they touched down in Rio on August 1.

He said: “For the past couple of days, the coaches, Purity Akuh, Victor Kodei and Joe Oziti, have been sparring with the Olympians.”

Igali said the wrestlers had been visiting the gymnasium in the morning for warm up on the elliptical machines and stationery bicycles.

“They use the mats for a roll around in the evening,” he said.

NAN reports that seven wrestlers, comprising five females and two males, are representing the country.

The female are Mercy Genesis (48kg), Adekuoroye Odunayo (53kg), Aminat Adeniyi (58kg), Blessing Oborududu (63kg) and Reuben Hannah (69kg), while the males are Amas Daniel (65kg) and Soso Tamarau (97kg).

NAN.