Wrestling: Reigning African champion Esther Kolawole wins gold at Grand Prix of Spain
Nigeria’s Esther Kolawole (62kg) has won gold at the Grand Prix of Spain after defeating the USA’s Haylie Jaffe 10-0 via technical superiority.
The reigning African champion showed dominance throughout the tournament, overpowering Lydia Perez Tourino of Spain 10-0 in the quarter-finals and securing a 4-1 victory against Poland’s Alicja Nowosad in the semi-finals.
Kolawole’s gold medal is a testament to her growing potential and the belief in what she can achieve on the global stage.
Reacting to her performance, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Hon. Daniel Igali, commended Kolawole’s spirited display and praised her determination and focus.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Igali expressed confidence that the experience gained in Spain would shape her ahead of future international competitions.
He added that Kolawole’s current form shows promise, and if she continues on this path, Nigerians can expect more gold medals from her in the near future.
Following her triumph in Spain, Kolawole is set to participate in the Ranking Series in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for July 14–19, 2025.
The Ranking Series is part of her buildup to the World Wrestling Championship in Croatia later this year.
