Nigerian Wrestlers Set for 2026 World Championships

The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has urged Team Nigeria to make the country proud at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The team departed from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday, October 23. The championships will take place until November 1.

Nigeria is sending a total of 11 wrestlers, which includes eight women and three men. Adeniyi, who also serves as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, saw the athletes off before they left.

He challenged them to turn their success in Africa into strong performances on the world stage and to make Nigeria a notable name in international wrestling.

"We must represent Nigeria with pride and strive for victory on the global stage. Having dominated the African continent, the time has come for us to translate that success into outstanding performances at the world level," Adeniyi said.

"The federation has high expectations for this team, and we believe the athletes have what it takes to make Nigeria proud and restore the country’s medal-winning fortunes at the World Wrestling Championships."

The federation is especially hopeful that this team will break Nigeria’s three-year medal drought at the championships. The event is seen as a key test of the country’s growth in the sport as its wrestlers look to build on their successes in Africa.

The female wrestlers representing Nigeria are Genesis Mercy Miesinnei (50kg), Ogunsanya Christianah Tolulope (53kg), Idris Adijat Avorshai (55kg), Adekoye Jumoke Bukola (57kg), Asaolu Esther Olamide (59kg), Kolawole Esther (62kg), Adekuoroye Mercy (68kg), and Ojo Damola Hannah (76kg).

The male wrestlers include Akintewe Stephen Tope (65kg), Andrew Ebierelayefa Allison (74kg), and Onovwiomogbhwo Harrison (97kg).

The coaching team consists of Akuh Purity, Blessing Oborududu, Agberekeme Areh, and Kadel Jacob Lee. The officials accompanying the team are Adeniyi, Vice President Amkpila Christopher, and Secretary General Ademisoro Bode Oluwasegun.