President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, NWF, Dr. Daniel Igali has hailed Team Nigeria’s wrestlers’ performance at the Senior World Championships in Croatia, Zagreb despite the setback of visa denial to five of the seven athletes scheduled for the competition.
One of the wrestlers, 22 year-old Esther Kolawale battled her way to the bronze medal match in the 62kg class but lost narrowly 5-6 to Mongolia’s Purevdorj. Her determination and skill earned her a 5th place finish in the world, a testament to Nigeria’s growing prowess in wrestling.
Dr. Igali, who is also a UWW Bureau member, congratulated Kolawale on her outstanding 5th place finish saying, “Esther’s performance is a beacon of what lies ahead. At just 22, she has shown the heart of a champion and the promise of an Olympic future.”
The Nigerian wrestling team faced a significant setback when five of their seven athletes were denied Schengen visas with the Croatian authorities citing lack of “sufficient financial means” or concerns about their returning home.
