Beach Wrestling Debut Signals Growth of Sport in Nigeria

Beach Wrestling Debut Signals Growth of Sport in Nigeria

By Admin 

Yenagoa is once again at the centre of Nigerian wrestling as it hosts the fourth edition of the Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classic, with the landmark introduction of beach wrestling to the national stage.

The week-long championship, running from March 25 to April 1, is organised by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development in collaboration with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation. The event has attracted athletes from across the country, providing a platform for both elite competitors and emerging talents.

A major highlight of this year’s edition is the inclusion of beach wrestling, a rapidly growing global variant of the sport. Competing on sand for the first time at a national championship, wrestlers delivered a series of intense and closely fought contests, signalling a new chapter for the sport in Nigeria.

Team Cross River State emerged as one of the early standout performers in the new category. Deborah Edet Ubana set the tone with a victory over Blessing Apeh of Rivers State in the women’s 60kg division, while teammate Inah Johnson followed up with another commanding display to extend the team’s strong start.

Cross River’s medal haul was further boosted by standout performances from Gabriel Ubana Edet, who claimed gold in the men’s 55kg category, Mbasekei Lawrence Ubi, who secured bronze in the 57kg division, and Agoro Florence Sunday, who earned bronze in the women’s 49kg event.

President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, described the introduction of beach wrestling as a significant milestone for the sport’s development in the country. He noted that the discipline has already featured at the Youth Olympic Games and is under consideration by the global governing body for future Olympic inclusion.

“This presents an opportunity for Nigeria to align with global trends and develop athletes capable of competing at the highest level,” he said.

Vice President of the federation, Chris Amkpila, highlighted the importance of the championship in talent identification and athlete development, noting that the competition offers a valuable pathway for young wrestlers to gain exposure and attract scouting attention.

Also speaking, Okou Femedein Timipre, an international referee and Executive Secretary of the International Military Sports Council Defence Headquarters in Abuja, described the tournament as a strategic initiative to promote beach wrestling in Nigeria and beyond.

He emphasised that while the discipline is still relatively new, it holds strong potential for global expansion and wider acceptance.

Since its inception, the Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classic has continued to grow in stature, further cementing Bayelsa State’s reputation as a leading hub for wrestling development in Nigeria and across Africa.