The Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) on Friday disclosed that Odunayo Adekuoroye was the only wrestler that has so far qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The NWF Secretary-General, Segun Oguntade, said that the wrestler got the slot through her remarkable performance at the World Wrestling Championships in September.
The championships took place at Las Vegas, U.S.
“She got bronze medal at the championship and it automatically gave her the placement,’’ he said.
Adekuoroye, a freestyle wrestler, also won a gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Oguntade said that there were still some qualifiers for the country’s wrestlers to participate in.
He said that the federation was already working hard to ensure that the remaining slots were clinched in the forthcoming qualifiers.
“There is the Africa Championships from March 2 to March 7 in Alexandria, Egypt.
“We also have the Africa and Oceania qualifiers from March 30 to April 4 in Algeria,’’ he said.
The secretary said that all those that would eventually qualify for the Olympic Games must do so through the qualifiers in Algeria.
He stressed that the African Championships was a prerequisite for Olympic Games.
“Any country aspiring to take part in the Olympics must participate in the African Championships which usually holds in the year before the Olympics,’’ he said.
Oguntade added that the federation was confident that the current sets of wrestlers in its stable were capable clinching the remaining slots for the nation.
“We have capable hands in both the male and female categories and I believe in their abilities.
“I am optimistic that they will do well,’’ he said.
