Belgrade, Serbia – In an exciting development for Nigerian sports enthusiasts, an 11-member Nigerian wrestling team has touched down in Belgrade, Serbia, all set to participate in the prestigious World Wrestling Championships. The championship serves as the first Olympic qualifier for the athletes, and the Nigerian contingent is brimming with confidence as they aim to make their nation proud on the world stage.

Departing from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria, the team embarked on their journey to Serbia aboard a Turkish Airline flight on Saturday night, ultimately arriving in Belgrade on a Sunday morning. The championship is scheduled to run from September 16 to September 22, 2023, and expectations are running high.

Dr. Daniel Igali, President of the Wrestling Federation, received the team upon their arrival in Belgrade. Dr. Igali, who had already departed for Serbia a day prior, emphasized the need for the Nigerian wrestlers to quickly acclimate to their new environment and prepare themselves for the challenges that lie ahead. He expressed his belief in the exceptional talent and unyielding determination of the Nigerian wrestlers, anticipating multiple podium finishes.

Despite the physical challenges and jetlag that often accompany international travel, Dr. Igali remains confident that the team’s determination will be boundless, propelling them to success. He extended his heartfelt appreciation to the Nigeria Olympic Committee, the Federal Ministry of Sports, and the Bayelsa State Government for their unwavering support in ensuring that Team Nigeria could participate in this critical Olympic qualifier.

Furthermore, Dr. Igali expressed gratitude to Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as a board member of the Wrestling Federation, for his generous send-off of the wrestling contingent, providing additional motivation for the athletes to shine in Belgrade.

Captain of Team Nigeria, Blessing Oborududu, shared the team’s ambitions, which include excelling in multiple categories, reaching finals, and competing for medals. As a silver Olympic medallist, Oborududu exuded confidence in the team’s performance, emphasizing their focus on excellence across various disciplines.

Making her debut appearance on the global stage, first-time participant Hannah Reuben conveyed her excitement and dedication to making Nigerians proud in Belgrade.

In terms of competition schedules, Mercy Genesis (50kg) and Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg), along with Hannah Reuben (76kg), are slated to wrestle on the 19th and 20th, while Blessing Oborududu (68kg), Esther Kolawale (62kg), and Ogunsanya Christiana Tolulope (53kg) will take to the mat on the 20th and 21st, offering fans a thrilling spectacle of Nigerian wrestling prowess.