Nigeria Clinches 15th African Women’s Wrestling Title, Harrison Strikes Men’s Gold
Nigeria reaffirmed its dominance in African women’s wrestling by winning the overall women’s crown at the African Wrestling Championships for a record 15th time, claiming eight gold and two silver medals out of ten on offer.
Commonwealth champion Mercy Genesis set the tone with a commanding 6-0 victory over Tunisia’s Chahrazed Ayachi.
‘We came here to prove Nigeria is still the powerhouse of African wrestling, and we did just that,’ Genesis said after her win.
She was swiftly followed by Adijat Idris (55kg), who dispatched Tunisia’s Lobna Ichaoui 8-0, and Esther Asaolu (59kg), who overwhelmed Egypt’s Mariam Mosbeh 10-0. Mercy Adekuoroye (65kg) capped the night with a pinfall triumph over Lec Hej Marlyne Ande of the Central African Republic.
Nigeria’s only blemish in the women’s finals came when Ebi Biogos (72kg), despite leading late, was edged 6-2 by Tunisia’s Zaineb Sghaier.
In the men’s freestyle, Harrison Onovwiomogbhwo provided Nigeria’s standout moment, stunning Egyptian home favourite Mohamed Mostafa 10-4.
‘I knew I had to stay aggressive. Beating him here in Egypt means a lot for me and for Nigeria,’ Harrison said.
Other Nigerian men settled for silver, Ebierelayefa Andrew (74kg) and Stephen Akintetwe (65kg), after falling to Egyptian opponents. Bronze medals came from Dideikemei Erefagha (70kg), Solomon Ulabo (79kg), and Saviour Egoli (61kg), who edged Tunisia’s Mustapha Batnini 5-5 on technical points.
Nigeria’s women finished top overall, while the men placed third, ensuring a podium presence in both categories. The result cements Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s wrestling powerhouse, with the women’s team continuing their continental reign.
