Secretary General of Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA), Olusesan Olukoya, has expressed his happiness over the approval given by the Alliance of Independent Wrestling Federation to the zone to host a professional wrestling training sessions in Benin Republic.

Olukoya, who is one of the resource person at the expected training said with the approval, the aim and objective of promoting professional wrestling across Africa and especially Benin Republic, has begun in earnest.

“The world wrestling body already given us approval for the training taking place over two days; November 16 and 17, in Cotonou, Benin Republic,” he said.

“There are so many talents in Benin Republic and we just need to give them necessary training about what and what professional wrestling entails.”

In the approval letter from AIWF and signed by the Executive Director of the body, Matt Creed, it was stated that their goal is to provide aspiring wrestlers in Benin Republic with a platform to enhance their abilities and to grow the local wrestling community in a positive and sustainable manner.

The statement added: “We are pleased to inform you that the Alliance of Independent Wrestling Federation has granted approval for professional wrestling training sessions to be conducted in Benin Republic.

“These sessions, which are part of our ongoing commitment to expanding the global reach of professional wrestling, will focus on skill development, safety, and professional standards in the sport.

“The training programme will be overseen by the President of AIWF Africa and Secretary General of Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA), Olusesan Olukoya, who has extensive experience in managing and promoting wrestling activities across various regions.”

Reigning African champion Esther Kolawole has secured a bronze medal in the 62kg weight class at the 2024 u23 World Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania.

Kolawole in the 16th round, lost to USA Macey Kilty 3-3 on criteria.

However, the 2024 Paris Olympian in a Repachage match, defeated Tynys Dubek of Kazakhstan by a 10-0 superiority score, having beaten Venezuela’s Astrid Montero with same scoreline 10-0.

Undeterred, Esther Kolawole secured the bronze medal with an emphatic 10-0 superiority win over Viktoria Vesso of Estonia.

Reacting to the win in Albania, the President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali applauded the motivated reaction of Esther Kolawole after she lost in the 16th round.

Daniel Igali, who, alongside Coach Akuh Purity, led Esther Kolawole to the championship, expressed confidence that the experience will shape her for future international events. “Esther was unlucky not be in the finals of this event. Our goal is to start the preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in earnest. Getting on the podium at the U-23 world championships is a step towards that goal”.

Kolawale is expected to return back to Nigeria in readiness for the 3rd Gov. Diri National Championships from 5-9 November in Yenagoa.

Over seven hundred and fifty athletes and coaches from the thirty six states of the federation will jostle for glory in the 3rd Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali gave the hint at the press conference held in Yenagoa ahead of the championship.

He said the championship would commence from the 3rd through 10th of November, 2024 while the wrestling date will start from the 5th through the 9th of next month, stating that the Gov Douye Diri Wrestling Classics remains the longest wrestling tourney in the country.

The commissioner explained that the federation has received over twenty states who have indicated interest with both military and paramilitary organizations and also, over fifteen clubs have so far shown concern for this year’s championship.

Dr Igali noted that this year’s edition would witness an improved organization compared to the previous edition due to the level of enthusiasm and interest from the participants coupled with the nation’s poor outing in the last Olympics games in Paris, France.

He asserted that the 3rd Gov Douye Diri Wrestling Classics would witnessed freestyle, Greco-Roman female styles and senior wrestling, explaining that freestyle and Greco-Roman will have ten weight classes, with an inclusion of five Junior and cadet classes making it a total of forty-five weight classes.

While appreciating governor Douye Diri for his unwavering support towards the development of sports in the last four years, the Olympian noted that Bayelsa remains the most successful wrestling state in the country, pointing out that the state has produced eighty- two gold medals in the continent.

He further explained that Bayelsa has eighty-two time African champions from the state making it one hundred and thirty -eight medals won by Bayelsans at the African level, with four commonwealth gold medalists, Olympic silver medalist and 19time Olympian from Bayelsa describing the state as the home of wrestling.

Permanent secretary Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs. Grace Alagoa said Nigerians should expect the best of wrestling from this year’s championship.

Director of Sports Bayelsa State Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, opined that the championship is a veritable platform to prepare the athletes for the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Chairman Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, said he is happy to collaborate with the Nigeria wrestling Federation to positively engage the youths through sports.