Blessing Oborududu will be difficult to replace – Igali

By Solomon Nwoke
The Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) is beginning to grow grey hairs over the replacement of its best female wrestlers following the latest retirement of 10-time African Champion and Olympic silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu at the recently concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun state.
Among the all time best female wrestlers who have bowed out of the sport that brought them to limelight, fame and laurels include Odunayo Adekuoroye in the 57Kg weight class who now lectures in one of the Universities in the United States of America (USA), Aminat Adeniyi in 62Kg weight category who after acquiring her Masters Degree in Canada became inactive in the sport, and Blessing Oborududu in the 68Kg weight class who after 19 years on the mat called it quits on May 27, 2025 in Abeokuta where she made her debut in the first Gateway Games in 2006..
Outgoing President of NWF who discovered these formidable wrestlers, Dr. Daniel Igali said the situation is like a “Bitter- Sweet” experience for the federation.
Speaking on the retirement of Oborududu, Dr. Igali said, “for us in the wrestling family, it’s ‘ bitter – sweet because when you have a talent of this magnitude retiring, you know that it’s going to be difficult replacing her. So to that extent, you’ll wish she competes forever for the country.
“Looking at what she’s brought to the table in terms of wrestling, the accolades she’s won, I think she deserves all the warm reception she’s getting from all the spectators, teammates, and from the coaches, it just goes to show that it’s not just being a champion, but being a human being and Blessing is one of such athletes. She’s not just being a fantastic champion, she’s a complete human being. She’s someone you would want to be your neighbour and that for us in wrestling is what we adore the most about her.
“Although, Blessing officially retired from wrestling at the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta where she started her career, but at home, she has not retired yet. She has come to retire in Ogun state because, this is where she started in 2006. So, I am sure when she gets back, the Wrestling Association of Bayelsa will give her a befitting retirement bout”.
Asked if the absence of these three wrestlers will not affect the country’s performance at international meets.
“Yeah, like everything, it’ll take a while for us to adjust and as I mentioned earlier,it will be difficult to replace such fantastic and enormous talents, but as it is, we’ll eventually get over it and the process has already started,” he said.