Nigeria's Izolo breaks four years jinx at 2025 African Senior Wrestling Championships

Posted : 05 May 2025

Nigeria's Stephen Izolo has made history in Casablanca, powering his way to Nigeria’s first male gold medal in four years by defeating Farouk Jellasi of Tunisia with a composed 5–2 victory in the 65kg freestyle final at the 2025 African Senior Wrestling Championships.

The last time a Nigerian male wrestler stood atop the podium at this event was in 2021. Izolo’s triumph ends that drought, injecting pride and momentum into the men’s division.

“This victory is not just mine — it’s for every male wrestler in Nigeria who kept believing. I gave it my all, and it feels amazing to finally break the jinx,” said Izolo, his voice full of emotion after the win.

But the night equally — and overwhelmingly — belonged to Nigeria’s women’s team, who put on a masterclass across two days of action.

Out of 10 gold medals at stake in the women’s division, Nigeria captured 9, reaffirming their dominance on the continent and successfully retaining the African women’s wrestling team title.

Their near-sweep is a repeat of their golden tradition and a testament to the nation’s sustained investment in women’s wrestling. Led by a mix of rising stars and experienced athletes, the team bulldozed their way past opponents from Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, Congo, and more.

Nigerian Gold Medalists (Women):

Mercy Genesis (50kg) – Defeated Cheima Chebila (Tunisia), 10–0

Khadijat Idris (55kg) – Overpowered Achouak Tekouk (Algeria), 12–1

Jumoke Adekoye (59kg) – Beat Rahma Bediwy (Egypt), 11–0

Ebipatei Moghenbofa (65kg) – Defeated Cara Duplessis (South Africa), 8–2 (pinfall)

Ebi Biogos (72kg) – Beat Rosie Tabora (Congo), 12–5

Esther Kolawole (62kg) – Previously won gold with a technical superiority victory

Christianah Ogunsanya (53kg) – Triumphed with a dominant 10–0 semifinal, then won gold

Dami Ojo (57kg) – Another gold winner in style

Hannah Reuben (68kg) – Beat Egypt’s Mariam Mesbah, 11–0

Men’s Division Update:

Stephen Izolo (65kg) – Ends 4-year gold drought

Ebikeme Newlife (92kg) – Final men’s match of the night still to come

With 10 wrestlers competing today (5 women, 5 men) and 7 making it to the finals, Team Nigeria’s performance reflects not just athletic talent, but deep preparation and national pride.

As the curtains begin to close on a thrilling day of competition, all eyes now turn to Ebikeme Newlife as he attempts to join Izolo in making it two golds for Nigeria’s men, capping off what is already a golden night for Nigerian wrestling.

Nigeria's Izolo breaks four years jinx at 2025 African Senior Wrestling Championships

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