By Victor Kanayo
Team Nigeria began their campaign at the ongoing 2025 African Senior Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, with a clean sweep, winning all four gold medals contested on day one.
All four Nigerian women in action won their bouts, except for Adekuoroye Mercy (57kg), who fell ill and was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Heading into the championship, which Nigeria has dominated for over a decade, particularly in women’s freestyle, the athletes were well aware of the expectations resting on their shoulders, especially in the absence of legendary wrestlers Blessing Oborodudu and Odunayo Adekuoroye.
Christianah Ogunsanya (53kg) set the tone for Nigeria on Saturday, outclassing Ivory Coast’s Nogona Bakayoko with an 11-0 superiority win to clinch the country’s first gold and her third African title.
In the 62kg category, Esther Kolawole followed suit with a dominant 10-0 superiority win over Egypt’s Farah Ali Hamada Mohamed Hussein, earning her third African title as well.
Damola Hannah Ojo kept the momentum going with a 6-0 victory over Ivorian Amy Youin.
In the final bout of the day, Hannah Reuben (68kg) dispatched Egypt’s Mariam Nasr Mosbeh Mesbah 11-0 on superiority to make it four gold medals for Nigeria on day one.
On Sunday, Mercy Genesis (50kg), Adijat Idris (55kg), Ebipatei Mughenbofa (65kg), Jumoke Bukola Adekoye (59kg), and Ebi Biogos (72kg) will compete in the continuation of the women’s freestyle events.
Stephen Izolo (65kg), Ebikeme Newlife (92kg), Oluwafemi Jackson (86kg), and Saviour Egoli (61kg) will aim to add to Nigeria’s medal haul as the men’s freestyle events commence the same day.
