Beach Wrestling takes centre stage at Bayelsa Classic

Posted : 27 March 2026

The fourth edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classic has taken on a fresh dimension with the introduction of beach wrestling, offering athletes a new platform to showcase their skills on sand.

Held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the championship has drawn participants from across Nigeria, with the newly introduced format quickly emerging as one of the competition’s major attractions.

Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa, Daniel Igali, highlighted the importance of embracing the discipline, noting that beach wrestling is steadily gaining global recognition. He pointed out that the sport has already featured at the Youth Olympic Games and is being considered by United World Wrestling for future Olympic inclusion.

According to Igali, the introduction of beach wrestling presents Nigeria with an opportunity to align with global trends while nurturing athletes capable of competing on the international stage.

The event, organised by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development in collaboration with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, has also been described as a vital platform for talent discovery. Vice President of the federation, Chris Amkpila, emphasised that the championship provides young wrestlers with exposure to scouts and development pathways.

On the sand, Team Cross River made an early statement in the beach wrestling category. Deborah Ubana secured victory over Blessing Apeh of Rivers State in the women’s 60kg bout, setting the tone for her team. Inah Johnson followed up with another impressive win, reinforcing Cross River’s dominance.

Elsewhere, Gabriel Edet clinched gold in the men’s 55kg category, while Mbasekei Ubi and Agoro Sunday settled for bronze in their respective divisions.

Originally scheduled for December last year, the tournament was postponed following the passing of Bayelsa’s Deputy Governor. Now underway, the championship runs from March 25 to April 1, continuing to spotlight emerging talents while introducing a dynamic new chapter to Nigeria’s wrestling scene.

The successful integration of beach wrestling into the Bayelsa Classic underscores the state's commitment to diversifying sports and providing international-standard opportunities for local wrestlers. As the competition continues until April 1, the new format is expected to remain a highlight, paving the way for future champions in this growing global discipline.

Beach Wrestling takes centre stage at Bayelsa Classic

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