Mercy Adekuoroye, Parkistan Alfred, and Newlife Ebikemi emerged as standout champions in their respective categories at the ongoing 3rd Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa.
In the Women’s 57kg Freestyle event, three-time African Champion Mercy Adekuoroye (Ondo State) claimed the gold, asserting her dominance on the mat with a series of powerful moves that captivated fans. Adekuoroye, the younger sister of world silver medallist Odunayo Adekuoroye, defeated Ebi James of Dynamite Club with a score of 12 to 2 in the final, while Faith Esosuapo of Edo State settled for bronze.
In the men’s 67kg Greco-Roman category, Alfred Parkistan (NSCDC) showcased his wrestling prowess by securing the gold medal. Alfred defeated Longlife Okokoro (Dynamite Club) by 5-0 (pinfall) in the final, with Victor Sunday (Bayelsa State) finishing with the bronze.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 92kg Freestyle event, Newlife Ebikemi (Bayelsa) triumphed to take the gold, showcasing his skill and resilience throughout the match. Ebikemi’s victory was one of the most anticipated moments of the tournament as he defeated Perezigha Obazi by technical superiority, while Benjamin Setinbowei of Delta State earned the bronze.
In the absence of Emmanuel Nworie, Perefaghe Kiribein emerged as the champion in the 77kg men’s Greco-Roman event. Agbonifo Ehiche (Edo State) took the silver, and Nweze Kingsley (Nigeria Police Force) finished with the bronze.
An elated Mercy Adekuoroye, in an interview, expressed her happiness at clinching gold, stating that she was confident of victory before arriving in Yenagoa for the championship.
Full Results:
Greco-Roman
67kg (Men):
- Gold: Parkistan Alfred (NSCDC)
- Silver: Okokoro Longlife (Dynamite)
- Bronze: Victor Sunday (Bayelsa)
72kg (Men):
- Gold: Bright Irobekhian (Edo)
- Silver: Ituru Oke (Delta)
- Bronze: Matthew Godstime (Bayelsa)
77kg:
- Gold: Perefaghe Kiribein (Bayelsa)
- Silver: Agbonifo Ehiche (Edo)
- Bronze: Nweze Kingsley (Nigeria Police)
Women’s Freestyle:
57kg:
- Gold: Mercy Adekuoroye (Ondo)
- Silver: Ebi James (Dynamite)
- Bronze: Faith Esosuapo (Edo)
59kg:
- Gold: Favour Opuene (Bayelsa)
- Silver: Esther Asaolu (Ondo)
- Bronze: Waliyat Adeniran (Rivers)
65kg:
- Gold: Temene Deye (Bayelsa)
- Silver: Aina Ohida (Ondo)
- Bronze: Ebi Samson
Men’s Freestyle:
79kg:
- Gold: Solomon Olabo (Bayelsa)
- Silver: Noel Ebiton (Simplify)
- Bronze: Temilehin Adekanmi (Ondo)
92kg:
- Gold: Newlife Ebikemi (Bayelsa)
- Silver: Perezigha Obazi (Edo State)
- Bronze: Benjamin Setinbowei (Delta)
