Adekuoroye, Parkistan, Ebikemi, shine at 3rd Governor Diri National Wrestling Classics
By Tosin Omojola
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 from Ondo State claimed the gold, showcasing her dominance on the mat with powerful moves that thrilled the fans
Adekuoroye, the younger sister of world silver medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye, overwhelmed Ebi James of Dynamite Club with a decisive 12-2 victory in the final, while Faith Esosuapo from Edo State took home the bronze.
In the Men’s 67kg Greco-Roman category, Alfred Parkistan of NSCDC demonstrated his wrestling prowess by capturing the gold medal. Parkistan defeated Longlife Okokoro of Dynamite Club 5-0 via pinfall in the final, while Victor Sunday from Bayelsa State earned the bronze.
In the Men’s 92kg Freestyle event, Newlife Ebikemi from Bayelsa secured the gold medal, displaying skill and resilience throughout his matches. Ebikemi’s victory was one of the tournament’s highlights as he won against Perezigha Obazi by technical superiority, with Benjamin Setinbowei from Delta State taking the bronze.
In the absence of Emmanuel Nworie, Perefaghe Kiribein claimed the gold in the 77kg Men’s Greco-Roman event. Agbonifo Ehiche from Edo State won the silver, while Nweze Kingsley of the Nigeria Police Force took the bronze.
An elated Mercy Adekuoroye expressed her happiness in an interview, saying she was confident of winning the gold even 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 (Men):
Gold: Perefaghe Kiribein (Bayelsa)
Silver: Agbonifo Ehiche (Edo)
Bronze: Nweze Kingsley (Nigeria Police Force)
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)
Bronze: Benjamin Setinbowei (Delta)
