CASABLANCA, MOROCCO – Team Nigeria delivered a statement performance on the opening day of the 2025 African Wrestling Championships, securing a perfect start with four gold medals from four finals on Saturday in Casablanca.
The Nigerian female wrestlers showed class, dominance, and technical superiority in all their categories, signaling their intentions early in the tournament. The quartet of Christianah Ogunsanya, Esther Kolawole, Dami Ojo, and Hannah Reuben stood tall on the podium, each clinching gold in their respective weight classes with commanding victories.
Leading the charge was 53kg contender Christianah Ogunsanya, who opened her campaign in emphatic fashion. Ogunsanya breezed past Morocco’s Zineb Chabki with a 10-0 technical superiority win in the semi-finals, before maintaining her momentum to claim the top prize in the final. Her precise attacks and swift movement left her opponents with little room for response, setting a confident tone for the Nigerian team.
Shortly after, Esther Kolawole took to the mat in the 62kg category, delivering another flawless performance. Kolawole defeated Senegal’s Safietou Goudialy 10-0 in a clinical outing to secure Nigeria’s second gold of the day. Her display of strength and tactical awareness underlined her growing reputation on the continental wrestling scene.
Nigeria’s golden run continued as Dami Ojo added to the tally with a poised and composed victory in her category. Though her final match was less publicized, Ojo showcased skill and grit, rounding off her bouts with confidence to maintain Nigeria’s unblemished record.
The day’s climax came with Hannah Reuben’s powerful showing in the 68kg final against Egypt’s Mariam Mesbah. Reuben dismantled her opponent with an 11-0 rout, demonstrating her dominance from start to finish. Her victory not only sealed Nigeria’s fourth gold medal but also reaffirmed her standing as one of the most formidable female wrestlers on the continent.
Saturday’s sweep adds to a growing list of achievements for Nigeria in African wrestling competitions and reflects the depth of talent and preparation within the Nigerian Wrestling Federation. The victories in Casablanca are seen as critical milestones as several of the wrestlers gear up for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
While Nigeria has long been a powerhouse in African wrestling, particularly in the women’s division, this clean sweep sends a strong message to other nations vying for continental supremacy. The technical finesse, aggressive strategy, and mental discipline displayed by the Nigerian wrestlers were evident in every bout.
As the championships continue over the coming days, expectations are high for Nigeria to expand its medal haul. Attention will also shift to freestyle and Greco-Roman events where the country hopes to replicate the success of its female team.
For now, day one belongs wholly to Nigeria — four finals, four golds, and a perfect start to the 2025 African Wrestling Championships.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
