Alexandria, Egypt : In a commanding display of strength and technique at the 2026 African Wrestling Championships, Nigeria’s women’s freestyle team dominated the mat, securing four of the five available gold medals on the championship’s opening day. The performance underscored Nigeria’s supremacy in continental women’s wrestling and set a high competitive standard for the rest of the tournament.
Ogunsanya Leads with Fourth Continental Title
At 53kg, Christianah Ogunsanya reinforced her status as one of Africa’s premier wrestlers. Ogunsanya, a defending champion, maintained control throughout her matches and was leading 7–1 when her final opponent from Côte d’Ivoire was forced to withdraw due to injury. With this victory, Ogunsanya notched her fourth African Championships gold, a testament to her consistency and elite-level performance.
Adekoye Continues Winning Streak at 57kg
In the 57kg category, Jumoke Adekoye added another gold to her impressive résumé, outscoring Algeria’s Achouak Tekouk 8–4 in a tactical and fast-paced final. Adekoye’s victory marked her fourth African title as well, solidifying her position among Nigeria’s top grapplers.
Kolawole’s Technical Masterclass at 62kg
World bronze medallist Esther Kolawole delivered an emphatic performance in the 62kg division. Kolawole dominated her opposition throughout the bracket, winning all matches by technical superiority and outscoring her opponents by a combined 40–0. Her form was clinical and commanding, illustrating why she is considered one of the continent’s most feared competitors.
Ojo Outlasts Wilita to Secure Heavyweight Gold
In the standout heavyweight final at 76kg, Damola Ojo successfully defended her title with a tactical 3–1 victory over Cameroon’s Pelagie Wilita. The closely contested match showcased Ojo’s mental fortitude and ability to execute strategic wrestling under pressure.
Egypt’s Khamis Denies Nigerian Sweep at 68kg
The only weight class to elude Nigeria was the 68kg division, where host nation Egypt’s Sabah Khamis delivered a thrilling performance. In a tight round-robin encounter, Khamis edged Nigeria’s Hannah Rueben 8–7 to claim gold — the sole interruption to Nigeria’s near sweep of the women’s freestyle events.
Summary of Women’s Freestyle Gold Medals
53kg: Christianah Ogunsanya (NGR) – defended title; 7–1 before opponent injury withdrawal.
57kg: Jumoke Adekoye (NGR) – 8–4 victory over Achouak Tekouk (ALG).
62kg: Esther Kolawole (NGR) – undefeated, 40–0 combined score by technical superiority.
68kg: Sabah Khamis (EGY) – 8–7 win over Hannah Rueben (NGR).
76kg: Damola Ojo (NGR) – 3–1 victory over Pelagie Wilita (CMR).
Nigeria’s dominant performance at the start of the championships signals strong momentum for the team as the competition progresses. With multiple title defenses and commanding victories, Nigerian wrestlers have captured the attention of the African wrestling community and positioned themselves as frontrunners for future global events.
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