Bayelsa wins 4th Gov Diri national wrestling classics
Host Bayelsa State emerged the overall champions of the 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. Bayelsa produced a dominant performance in the championship by clinching victories in the Greco-Roman, Women’s Freestyle, men’s freestyle, and Beach Wrestling with over 600 athletes, 30 States and twelve clubs participating in […]
Host Bayelsa State emerged the overall champions of the 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Bayelsa produced a dominant performance in the championship by clinching victories in the Greco-Roman, Women’s Freestyle, men’s freestyle, and Beach Wrestling with over 600 athletes, 30 States and twelve clubs participating in this year’s edition of the classics.
Bayelsa won the championship with 935 points, amassing 22 gold, 7 sliver, 16 bronze medals, Dynamite club finished second with 475 points with a total of 6 gold, 9 silver, 12 bronze, Delta State came third with 270 points, 3 gold, 3 silver and 10 bronze medals.
Cross Rivers, Edo, Ondo and Nigeria Army finished 4th to 7th respectively.
Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta State and the Dynamite club equally dominated the newly introduced Beach Wrestling event.
Speaking at the grand finale of the wrestling classics, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said he was pleased with the growth of wrestling in Nigeria, maintaining that Bayelsa has been a fertile ground for wrestling in the country and the African continent.
He reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting sports, particularly wrestling in the state, adding that the government was committed to the development of Bayelsa youths through sports.
While appreciating all the wrestlers for the show of sportsmanship and determination, the governor acknowledged the efforts of the Federation in promoting wrestling, stating that the continuous investment in the sport has made Nigeria a force to reckon with in Africa and the world.
Meanwhile, the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr Adewale Adeniyi represented by the commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa, Chief Daniel Igali, announced a cash reward of N200,000 for each gold medalist, N100,000 to silver medalist and N70,000 for bronze winners in 45 weight classes.
The Vice president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Chris Amkpila in an interview said the dream of the Federation was to see Nigerian wrestlers excel at the global stage, describing this year’s classics as remarkable for the sport federation.