Daniel Igali, the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, has expressed optimism of securing one additional ticket for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Igali stated this in an interview with Newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that the federation still needs one more ticket to make it seven wresters that will represent the country in the wrestling event at the Olympics.
Mercy Genesis (50kg), African and Commonwealth Games champion left Nigeria on Tuesday for World Olympic Qualifiers in Turkey.
The president said he believes Genesis will pick her ticket for the Olympics.
“She is a champion; she will definitely pick one more ticket for the Olympics. We will support her with our prayers.
“Genesis has done it before and she will definitely do it again and I wish her a successful Olympic qualifier and an Olympic berth,” he said
Genesis narrowly missed out on qualification at the last African/Oceania Olympic Wrestling qualifiers in Alexandria, Egypt.
Genesis who was accompanied by coach Akuh Purity, will take to the mat on Friday against high profile wrestlers in the world that missed out in their regional windows.
The qualifier in Istanbul will offer 54 Olympic quotas in each of the six weight classes of the three styles.
Every weight category offers three Paris Olympic spots one each to the two finalists, and one to the winner of the playoff between the two bronze medalists.
Greco-Roman will kick off the competition on May 9, followed by Women’s Wrestling and Freestyle.
The competition will end on May 13, in Istanbul, Turkey.
BOG/JPE
