Team Nigeria delivered a clean sweep on Day One of the 2025 African Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, winning four gold medals from four finals.
Dami Ojo and Hannah Reuben claimed Nigeria’s third and fourth gold medals of the evening, following earlier victories by Christianah Ogunsanya (53kg) and Esther Kolawole (62kg).
Reuben was dominant in the 68kg final, defeating Egypt’s Mariam Mesbah with a commanding 11-0 victory. Ojo had earlier sealed her own gold in a confident performance, continuing the day’s perfect record.
Ogunsanya set the tone for the team by defeating Morocco’s Zineb Chabki 10-0 in the semi-finals and then powering through to gold in the final. Kolawole followed with her own 10-0 win over Senegal’s Safietou Goudialy before clinching her gold medal.
“I came here with one goal — to win gold for my country,” said Ogunsanya.
“Standing on that podium makes all the sacrifice worth it,” Kolawole added.
“This is for everyone back home who believed in us,” said Ojo.
“To dominate the final like that and bring home gold is a dream come true,” said Reuben.
With four finalists and four golds, Nigeria now tops the medal standings and has sent a clear message to the rest of the continent. The championship continues tomorrow with more Nigerian wrestlers in action.
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