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India
TNN 3 October 2009, 12:05am IST
WRESTLING
India is one of the strongest teams among Commonwealth countries in
wrestling with challenges likely to come from Canada and Nigeria in
some weight categories. Preparatory camps are being held simultaneously
at NIS, Patiala, and the SAI centre in Sonepat. The top four wrestlers
from last year's national championships have been selected from each
weight category in the men's and women's sections and are undergoing
systematic training at the camps. The teams have been taking part in
international meets as well as Grand Prix events.
Coaches: Men's freestyle: Jagminder, Men's Greco-Roman: Har Govind,
Women: PR Sondhi.
Past Record: India had a rich haul at the 2002 Manchester Games,
winning three gold and three silver. Wrestling didn't feature in the
2006 Melbourne Games.
Build-up: Commonwealth Championships in December and the Asian
Championships in Delhi in May next year.
Possible Medal count: About 10 medals.
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Nigeria
2 October 2009
Reports — NIGERIA'S sole medalist at the recently concluded world
amateur wrestling championship in Denmark, Chioma Iheanacho believes
that she can do better if given the right support and exposure.
Chioma, who won bronze medal at the world championship blame her
inability to win the gold medal to lack of international exposure.
"I know I can do better if given the right support. This is the first
time I'm competing in a major championship like this and I was able to
win a bronze medal speaks lot about my potentials. So I want to say
that Nigerian wrestlers are talented and have what it takes to rule the
world but I think our problem here in Nigeria is lack of competitions
and international exposure and if we're able to receive half of the
support counterparts in the western world get then the sky will be our
limit," boasted Enugu state born wrestler, who contested in the female
67 kg event.
She is however looking forward to rule the world at the London 2012
Olympic games.
My plan now is to compete in many international competitions to give me
the right exposure that will give me the confidence and preparation to
compete against the best at the Olympics in London because my dream is
to win gold medal for Nigeria," she said.
Commenting on the feat achieved by Nigeria at the world championship,
Coach Jude Amadi said it has posed a great challenge to the country as
that position must be maintain and if possible surpassed it.
It has been our dream to win medal at the world championship. I want
thank the president of the federation, Chief Austin Edeze for his
support. This level we've reached means we must maintain this position.
So we look forward for exposure and supports from the corporate
bodies," he said.
An elated secretary of the Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation (NAWF),
Yemi Usikaye described Chioma's feat as a big leap for the federation
despite the financial constraint faced by NAWF.
I'm very excited for the achievement at the world championship for fact
that Nigeria was the only African nation to have won medal at the
competition. This is a sign of positive things to come from our
wrestlers but we need corporate supports and sponsorship to achieve
more," he said.
Other Nigerian wrestlers at the championship include, Lovina Odohi
(55kg), Blessing Oborududu (59kg) and Amas Daniel (60kg).
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