Dominant Nigeria clinches historic 15th African Women’s Wrestling crown in Alexandria

Posted : 03 May 2026

Nigeria once again underlined its dominance on the continental stage, storming to a record-extending 15th African women’s wrestling title at the African Wrestling Championships in Alexandria, Egypt.

The Nigerian women delivered a commanding performance, amassing eight gold and two silver medals from ten events to comfortably top the standings. It was another emphatic statement of supremacy, reinforcing the country’s long-standing grip on women’s wrestling in Africa.

Building on a strong opening day, the team wasted no time continuing its momentum. Commonwealth champion Mercy Genesis set the tone, overpowering Tunisia’s Chahrazed Ayachi 6-0 to spark another wave of gold medals.

Adijat Idris (55kg) followed suit with an 8-0 victory over Lobna Ichaoui, while Esther Asaolu (59kg) thrilled the crowd with a dominant 10-0 win against Egypt’s Mariam Mosbeh.

Veteran star Mercy Adekuoroye capped off the golden run in the 65kg category, sealing victory with a swift pinfall against Central African Republic’s Lec Hej Marlyne Ande in a commanding display.

Nigeria’s only blemish in the women’s finals came in the 72kg category, where Ebi Biogos, despite leading late in the bout, fell 6-2 to Tunisia’s Zaineb Sghaier to settle for silver.

In the men’s freestyle events, Harrison Onovwiomogbhwo provided a standout moment, defeating home favourite Mohamed Mostafa of Egypt 10-4 to secure Nigeria’s lone gold medal in the category.

Elsewhere, Ebierelayefa Andrew (74kg) and Stephen Akintewe (65kg) both settled for silver after falling to Egyptian opponents, while Dideikemei Erefagha (70kg), Solomon Ulabo (79kg), and Saviour Egoli (61kg) each claimed bronze medals with impressive performances.

The men’s team finished third overall, ensuring Nigeria wrapped up the championship with a strong podium presence across both divisions.

All eyes now turn to future international competitions, where Nigeria will aim to translate this continental dominance into global success. The remarkable haul in Alexandria reinforces Nigeria’s status as a powerhouse in African wrestling and provides a solid foundation for upcoming world-stage challenges. This historic achievement reflects the dedication and elite skill level of the Nigerian wrestling contingent.

Dominant Nigeria clinches historic 15th African Women’s Wrestling crown in Alexandria

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