Odunayo Adekuoroye, a Nigerian wrestler, has out-grappled some of the biggest names in the sport to win gold at the United World Wrestling championship in Poland.
The two times Commonwealth gold medalist’s strength was too much for Iryna Kurachkina in the final, which took place on Friday, as the Belarusian withdrew from the bout due to injury.
The six-time African champion’s journey to the gold medal placed some of the best wrestlers in her path, but she overpowered them at every turn.
In the quarter-final of the ranking series, Adekuoroye locked arms with Helen Maroulis, 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist. The Nigerian won 13-0 and consequently ended the domination of the American.
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Russia’s Valeria Koblova, a silver medalist at Rio 2016, was next in the semi-final, and Adekuoroye also defeated her.
Adekuoroye’s triumphant showing in the 57kg category has kindled Nigeria’s hope for a medal when the rescheduled Olympics begin in Tokyo later this year.
However, Nigeria could only settle for a silver medal in the 68kg freestyle category after Blessing Oborodudu lost to France’s Koumba Larroque in the final.
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