Purity Akuh, the head coach of Nigeria’s women’s wrestling team, has set an ambitious target for the upcoming 13th African Games in Ghana – to clinch gold medals in all weight classes.
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The African Games, scheduled from March 8 to 23, will be a battleground where Akuh aims for his team to assert dominance and emerge victorious across various categories.
Expressing his determination, Akuh stated, “My target by the grace of God at the forthcoming African Games is to win gold medals in every category we will feature in.” The coach’s optimism reflects a commitment to excellence and a desire to elevate Nigeria’s standing in women’s wrestling on the continental stage.
Currently, wrestlers Esther Kolawole and Christianah Ogunsanya are in Croatia representing Nigeria in the women’s freestyle event at the 2024 Zagreb Open, the first ranking series event of the United World Wrestling in 2024, taking place from January 10 to 14.
Akuh affirmed that both athletes are physically and mentally prepared for the Grand Prix, recognizing its significance in their preparation for future challenges, including the Olympic Qualifiers.
Akuh believes that the exposure to top-tier competition at events like the Zagreb Open is crucial for the development of young wrestlers. “The Ranking Series will help prepare the girls for the Olympic Games qualifiers because they are wrestling some of the best wrestlers in the world,” he emphasized. The coach expressed confidence that a strong showing in Croatia would pave the way for success in the African/Oceanic Qualifiers.
Akuh highlighted the importance of international exposure for young wrestlers, emphasizing the role it plays in making a significant statement on the global stage. With an eye on the upcoming African Games, the coach and his team are leveraging every opportunity to fine-tune their skills and strategy, with the ultimate goal of securing gold across all weight categories in Ghana.
