Nigeria Clinches Historic 15th African Women’s Wrestling Title

Nigeria Clinches Historic 15th African Women’s Wrestling Title

Nigeria’s wrestling team has once again demonstrated its dominance on the continental stage after emerging champions in the women’s category at the ongoing 2026 African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt.

Team Nigeria secured a historic 15th African women’s wrestling title after winning an impressive eight gold medals and two silver medals out of the 10 available medals in the women’s freestyle events.

The latest triumph further strengthens Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s leading force in women’s wrestling and extends the country’s remarkable record in the competition.

The Nigerian contingent, made up of 10 female wrestlers and eight male wrestlers, competed across 18 events during the championship, which began on April 27 and concluded on Saturday in Alexandria.

Nigeria’s female wrestlers delivered dominant performances across multiple weight categories to finish ahead of other strong wrestling nations including Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

In the men’s freestyle category, Team Nigeria also impressed by finishing as the third-best overall team, earning additional silver and bronze medals to secure a podium finish.

Among the standout performers was Andrew Ebierelayefa, who won silver in the 74kg category after losing by pinfall to Egypt’s Omar Mohamed in the final.

Another Nigerian wrestler, Stephen Akintewe, also secured silver in the 65kg division after falling to Egyptian wrestler Shehabeldin Emam in the final bout.

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Nigeria also claimed bronze medals through Dideikemei Erefagha, who defeated Chad’s Elie Djekoundakom 12-0 in the 70kg category, and Solomon Ulabo, who beat Madagascar’s Totiana Razafinjato 6-0 by pinfall in the 79kg division.

In the 61kg category, Saviour Egoli earned another bronze medal for Nigeria after defeating Tunisia’s Mustapha Batinini through a technical points advantage.

Officials of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) praised the athletes for their determination, resilience and consistency throughout the championship, describing the performance as another major milestone for Nigerian sports.

Nigeria has remained the dominant force in African women’s wrestling for over a decade, producing internationally recognised wrestlers such as Blessing Oborududu, Odunayo Adekuoroye, and Aminat Adeniyi, who have represented the country at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

The latest victory is also expected to boost Nigeria’s preparations ahead of future global wrestling competitions and qualification events for upcoming international tournaments.

Sports enthusiasts across the country have since celebrated the achievement, describing it as another proud moment for Nigeria on the African sporting stage.

Nigeria Clinches Historic 15th African Women’s Wrestling Title