The Nigeria Military Wrestlers have broken a 50-year record by winning a Gold medal at the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship. CISM World Wrestling Championship started in 1973 in which the Military Wrestlers have gotten Silver, and bronze medals but have never won a gold medal until 2023.
This was revealed when the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa today received the victorious Nigerian Military Wrestlers from Azerbaijan with their Gold and silver medals respectively won at the just concluded World Military Wrestling Championship, Baku.
General Musa ably represented by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Emmanuel Onumajuru arrived with the Champions today at the International Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
Speaking to Journalists at the arrival hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, the team leader and the Director of Sport, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquiu thanked the Chief of Defence Staff for motivating the Nigerian Military Wrestlers to participate in the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship, an international Championship where athletes represent their country
Air Vice Marshal Marquis categorically explained the different types of motivation given by the Defence Chief to the wrestlers, noting that the great motivation is representing Nigeria and when they win the National anthem of the country will be played and the flag of the country will be hoisted.
"So athletes understood the enormous task ahead of them and they were well motivated. All necessary things required to compete among the best in the world were provided by the Chief of Defence Staff CDS and the truth is, we have world beaters here, the wrestlers and all we need to do is to build on what we have achieved to get to a greater level.
Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquiu also added that Nigeria will be hosting the Africa Military Games in 2024 and this victory is a building process, having understood that it is the season of renewal of hope.
He said the CDS having understood the strategic importance of the role sports play in making a country to be visible, motivated the team and provided all requirements in sporting engagement.
He also revealed how they were not given a chance when they arrived at the Championship, but when they saw the Nigerian Military wrestlers competing fairly they started getting closer to them and identifying with the Nigerian team.
In her words, the female wrestler, Corporal Hannah Reuben who won the gold medal after beating her Italian contender in the 68-weight category of women's freestyle wrestling expressed happiness for the platform given by the Chief of Defence Staff to participate at the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship
She revealed that her mindset and hard work, preparation assisted her in defeating her opponent to lift the gold medal, noting that though this wasn't her first competition other engagement in sporting activities has helped her to win the Championship. She hopes the armed Forces of Nigeria continue to motivate her and other wrestlers to do better. She pledged to do better at the forthcoming African Military Games in 2024.
Another distinguished wrestler who got a silver medal in the 72 weight is Lance Corporal Ojolaide Esther. She said what motivated her was the saying "To whom much is given, much is expected" and for the privilege, and encouragement the Chief of Defence Staff has given to the team to perform at the world level and to represent Nigeria. Lance Corporal Ojolaide Esther promised to do better and bring more medals to Nigeria.
The happy coach, Warrant Officer Godwill Tiebiri revealed that the team had broken a 50-year record by winning a Gold medal at the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship. He said the CISM World Wrestling Championship started in 1973 in which the Military Wrestlers have gotten Silver, and bronze medals but have never won a gold medal until 2023.