The mat has witnessed greatness for nearly two decades, but tonight, the curtains closed on an era as Nigeria’s wrestling queen, Blessing Oborodudu, kissed the mat goodbye—ending her illustrious career with a final, golden flourish.
The 2020 Olympic silver medalist and twelve-time African champion delivered an emotional finale at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Competing for Bayelsa State, the 68kg titan sealed her farewell with a commanding victory over Rita Odede of Nasarawa, clinching yet another gold medal to cap off a career marked by dominance, resilience, and historic firsts.
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The significance of this moment goes beyond the medal—it’s the final bow of a legend whose name echoes across Africa and beyond. Oborodudu, who began her wrestling journey at the 2006 Gateway Games as a secondary school student, rose from humble beginnings to become one of Nigeria’s most decorated athletes.
Her breakthrough came in 2007 when she was invited to the national camp after stellar performances at inter-house school competitions.
Though her parents initially discouraged her pursuit of wrestling—believing it to be a male-only sport—Oborodudu’s inspiration came from Canadian-Nigerian Olympic champion, Daniel Igali, and she never looked back.
Since then, her story has been one of unrelenting triumph. She has won gold in every National Sports Festival she’s participated in, including Kaduna 2009, Rivers 2011, Lagos 2012, Abuja 2018, Edo 2021, Delta 2022, and now, in Abeokuta 2025.
“I’m grateful for this journey. Wrestling has been my life, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” Oborodudu said with emotion after her final match. “This is the perfect ending.”
As the wrestling event kicked off Monday at the Obafemi Awolowo Square in Remo, Ikenne, all eyes were on this emotional farewell. On Wednesday, the arena is expected to witness an overwhelming ovation from fans, athletes, and lovers of Nigerian sports who will gather to honor a living legend.
Her exit marks the end of a golden chapter in Nigerian wrestling history—but her legacy will live on in the hearts of many and in the annals of African sport.
Blessing Oborodudu isn’t just retiring—she’s immortalizing her name.
