The Nigerian Military Wrestling team, who clinched Gold and Silver medals at the recently concluded 36th World Military Wrestling Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, arrived back in the country, vowing to maintain Nigeria’s pride on the global stage.
Welcoming the triumphant wrestlers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday at approximately 10:00 p.m., officials from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) received the athletes.
In a press briefing upon their return, AVM Abidemi Marquis, the Director of Sports at DHQ, expressed gratitude to Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, for providing them with the opportunity to showcase the nation’s military prowess at the international level.
Marquis highlighted the dedication of the athletes, emphasising that their motivation stemmed from the honour of representing Nigeria. He acknowledged the essential support and resources that were provided to enable the team to compete among the world’s best.
Marquis stressed the importance of leveraging this victory as a foundation for future achievements, especially with Nigeria set to host the African Military Games next year.
The director acknowledged the strategic significance of sports in boosting a country’s visibility and noted that the provision of necessary resources and encouragement by the CDS played a pivotal role in their success.
“So the athletes understood the enormous task ahead of them and they were well motivated because all the necessary things that were required for them to compete among the best were provided.
“So before we even left Nigeria, we were highly motivated.
“We just need to build on what we have achieved so that we can get to the level that we are looking at because Nigeria is hosting the African Military Games next year.
“So this is a building process,” he said.
The gold medalist, Cpl. Hannah Reuben, triumphed in the 68kg women’s freestyle category by defeating her Italian opponent. Reuben attributed her success to her mindset, extensive preparation, and diligent training, pledging to continue striving for excellence in the upcoming military games hosted by Nigeria.
Another remarkable performer, Lance Cpl. Esther Ojolaide, the Silver Medalist, credited her outstanding performance to the encouragement and opportunities granted by the CDS. She assured that the Nigerian Armed Forces could expect an even stronger display in the next competition hosted by Nigeria.
The team’s coach, Warrant Officer Godswill Tiebiri, commended the collaborative effort between the athletes and the coaching crew, attributing their success to the unwavering support of the CDS. He proudly announced that their gold medal had broken a 50-year record in the history of wrestling in the Nigerian military at the global level.
Tiebiri emphasized that the victory was not only a testament to their hard work but also an indication of Nigeria’s growing recognition in the wrestling world.