Beach Wrestling Makes Historic Debut in Yenagoa

Beach wrestling made its historic debut in Nigeria at the ongoing

The inclusion of the sand-based discipline, which is rapidly gaining global recognition, marked a major milestone for the sport in the country.

The week-long championship, running from March 25 to April 1, 2026, is being staged by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development in partnership with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.

Athletes from across Nigeria are competing, with Team Cross River emerging as early standouts in the new category.

Deborah Edet Ubana set the tone with a victory in the women’s 60kg division, while Inah Johnson added another win to underline the team’s dominance.

Gabriel Ubana Edet claimed gold in the men’s 55kg, while Mbasekei Lawrence Ubi and Agoro Florence Sunday secured bronze medals in their respective categories.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, hailed the introduction of beach wrestling as a significant step forward, noting its presence at the Youth Olympics and the possibility of future inclusion in the Olympic Games.

‘This is an opportunity for Nigeria to key into a growing global sport and develop athletes that can compete internationally,’ he said.

Nigeria Wrestling Federation Vice President Chris Amkpila emphasized the Classics’ role in talent discovery, while international referee Lieutenant Colonel Okou Femedein Timipre described the event as a strategic effort to popularize beach wrestling.

He stressed that while the discipline is still relatively new, it holds strong potential for worldwide growth.