As the mats were rolled away and the curtains fell on the 2025 African Senior Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Morocco, one of Nigeria’s standout stars, Hannah Reuben, looked back with pride at a performance that echoed far beyond the medal podium.
Reuben, competing in the 68kg women’s freestyle, delivered a flawless display to defeat Egypt’s Mariam Mesbah by 11–0 technical superiority, clinching yet another gold for Team Nigeria in what turned out to be a near-sweep by the country’s female wrestlers.
“This gold means more than just a medal,” Reuben said after the match. “It’s for every young girl in Nigeria who sees themselves in me. I want them to know it’s possible — with hard work, you can stand tall and win.”
Known for her composed strength and tactical execution, Hannah Reuben was in control from the first whistle, never allowing her opponent space to breathe. Her victory marked a powerful contribution to Nigeria’s nine gold medals out of ten in the women’s freestyle events — a level of dominance rarely seen on the African stage.
This wasn’t her first title, but it was one that hit deeper. With seasoned leadership and renewed hunger, Reuben embraced her role as both competitor and role model.
“Wrestling has given me a voice,” she said. “Every time I step onto the mat, I remember where I started, and I remember the girls watching from homes, from villages, from schools. I wrestle with them in mind.”
As Nigeria closed out the tournament with a total of 10 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals, Reuben’s gold stood not just as another accolade — but as a symbol of what Nigerian women continue to represent in African sport: power, purpose, and pride.
Her gold may be hanging around her neck, but her impact reaches far wider.
