By Felix Eniye Akraka
Abeokuta, Ogun State — Team Bayelsa asserted its supremacy on the mat as the wrestling events of the 2024 Ogun State National Sports Festival concluded with a blaze of glory on Tuesday morning.
In a thrilling campaign marked by power, precision, and passion, Bayelsa’s wrestling squad clinched 14 Gold, 8 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals, surpassing their previous record and reaffirming their dominance in Nigerian wrestling. From freestyle to Greco-Roman, Bayelsa’s athletes showcased impeccable technical skill, mental toughness, and strategic brilliance in every encounter.
But beyond the medals, the day belonged to Blessing Oborududu, Nigeria’s most decorated female wrestler and a national treasure. The 14-time African champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist officially retired from competitive wrestling in an emotional farewell ceremony following her final bout. The stadium echoed with applause as fellow athletes, coaches, officials, and fans paid tribute to a legendary career that has inspired generations.
Oborududu’s retirement marked the end of an era — and the rise of a new one. Her departure was not just a curtain call but a symbolic handover to a younger crop of wrestlers, many of whom she mentored and who now carry Bayelsa’s winning spirit forward.
As the wrestling segment ends, Team Bayelsa’s commanding performance is a shining example of focused preparation, elite coaching, and unwavering dedication. Their victory cements their position at the top of Nigeria’s wrestling hierarchy and adds a major boost to their overall standing at the festival.
With champions made and legends honored, Bayelsa’s triumph is more than just a victory — it’s a legacy in motion.
