African Champion Mercy Adekuoroye has retained her title at the ongoing Gov. Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, Bayelsa. on Wednesday.
Adekuoroye, representing Rivers, defeated Mughentola Ebipatai of Bayelsa by technical superiority in the Women’s 65kg final at the multipurpose sports hall of the Samson Siasia Complex.
Tokere Appah of Ministry Defense and Jennifer Okhilie of Edo won bronze medals in the 65kg category.
In the 57kg category, Jumoke Adekoya of Ondo State delivered a brilliant performance, defeating Faith Esouakpo of Edo in the final.
Tanlayefa Bekefale of Bayelsa and Brenda Godfrey of Delta claimed bronze medals.
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In the women’s 53kg final, Mausi Zannli of Lagos State laboured to beat Ayo Esewi of Edo, while Andrew Woyinkobikiye of Bayelsa and Bidemi Enukezie of Delta settled for bronze.
Meanwhile, Welson Ebikewenimo of Bayelsa fought hard to retain his title, securing a decisive point at the final whistle against Simone Enosunimi of Edo in the men’s 57kg.
Enosunimi had taken the lead in the first round, but the Commonwealth Games silver medalist fought back to clinch victory.
Joseph Joshua of Lagos State and Samuel Chaima of Plateau State won bronze medals.
In the star match of the night, Godday Eseimokumo of Bayelsa dethroned Femi Jackson of Rivers e in the 86kg category.
Eseimokumo surged ahead with six points before Jackson responded with five. The Rivers wrestler nearly completed a comeback, but Eseimokumo held on until the final whistle.
Mathias Okuma of Edo and Andy Alagba of the Nigeria Customs Service settled for bronze medals each.
In the men’s events, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa State claimed gold in the 79kg category, with Kpum Ayibasisei of Edo State taking silver and Rasheed Saliu of Ondo State and Ebisindei Okorie of Dynamite Club winning bronze. NewLife Ebikeme of Bayelsa State won the 92kg gold, ahead of Perezidei Obaze of Edo State in silver position, while Tobechukwu Udeh of the Nigeria Army and Timilehin Adekanmi of Ondo State claimed bronze medals.
NAN
