Nigeria clinch eight medals at Senior African Wrestling championships
Nigeria impresses ITF as Tombim Abuja Open serves off
Nigerian female wrestlers at the ongoing 2017 Senior African Wrestling championships in Marrakech, Morocco, have clinched eight medals.
The medals comprise six gold and two silver.
The gold medalists are Mercy Genesis 48 kg, Odunayo Adekuoroye 55kg, Aminat Adeniyi 58kg, Blessing Oborududu 63kg, Kemeasuodei Dressman 69kg and Gofit Winnie 75kg.
The silver medalists Bose Samuel 53kg and Makanjuola 60kg.
Daniel Igali, the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), said in a telephone interview yesterday that “he is impressed with the day one results”.
Igali said that the result by Winnie the 75kg gold medalist had been rated as the “Fantastic result overall”.
He added that though the country’s only Greco Roman representative unfortunately didn’t win a medal.
“Tochukwu Okeke 75 kg did not win a medal, but put up appreciable effort,’’ the Olympian said.
Seven freestyle wrestlers will today take to the mats to increase the country’s medal haul in the male category of the competition. (NAN) @shagcy are Bisola International Tennis Federation (ITF) Head of Operations for Africa and Middle East, Iain Smith has stated that the world governing body is impressed with Nigeria’s growing commitment to tennis.
The South African gold badge referee, who conducted a three-day ITF/CAT Workshop and Refresher Courses for White Badge officials in West and Central Africa held from April 27th - 29th 2017 in Abuja, urged the country not to relent in the drive to reach a high standard in the sport.
“The ITF is aware of the commitment to tennis development in Nigeria. Gradually, Nigeria is getting more international tournaments in addition to the Lagos Governor’s Cup which has the highest prizemoney in Africa for ITF Futures men and women. This is good for Nigeria and the game and we are very impressed,” he said, after the course which featured 11 Nigerians, a Ghanaian and a Togolese.
Meanwhile the 3rd Tombim Abuja Open will serve off today with seven Nigerians competing in the main draw of 32.
Nigeria’s best ranked player Sylvester Emmanuel (1160) faces a tough tie as he battles world no 311 Italian Alessandro Bega, who is seeded third.
Emmanuel Idoko, a wildcard beneficiary, had a daunting task against second seed Canadian, Brayden Schnur, who is the world number 308.
Clifford Enosoregbe keeps a date with British qualifier, Joe Cooper just as Emmanuel Emeruwa confronts seventh seed, Benjamin Lock Zimbabwe ranked no 457.
Also, Imeh Ubon battles Mark Fynn of Zimbabwe while Thomas Otu heads for a showdown with Henry Atseye in an all-Nigeria clash.
The Tombim Open is the first of the three ITF Futures billed for Nigeria to be followed by the Dayak Championship and the GSL Open which are also holding this May. of