Federation says on course to grooming world beaters in armwrestling

Apparently satisfied with the skills exhibited by athletes at its just-concluded Nigeria Armwrestling Invitational Lagos Championships, the Nigeria Armwrestling Federation (NWAF) says it is on course in grooming world beaters.

The President of NAWF, Olatunji Jackson, reviewing the competition, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that the armwrestlers had improved so well.

“The athletes have put so much effort into getting better. I am impressed by their performance at the competition.

“When we came on board a little over two years ago, the armwrestlers were not this good. They have even worked on themselves to get acquainted with the latest techniques.

“They competed as if they were at an international competition and that’s good because when at global meets, they won’t be faulted for violating rules and regulations,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the two-day competition commenced on Sept. 16 and ended Sept. 17 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos with no fewer than 70 armwrestlers from across the country.

The highlight of the competition was Becky Ademoh causing an upset by defeating two-time female champion, Ijeoma Soribe.

NAN also reports that some of the winners of the competition will represent the country at the 38th Armwrestling World Championships in Bulgaria in October.

Before the world championships, NAWF board members will meet to ratify the list of the winners that will feature.

They will of course have the best among them going to Bulgaria since it is a world competition and Nigeria’s representatives must give a good account of themselves.

The armwrestlers are expected to put the country on the medals table in Bulgaria after working round the clock to ensure a good outing.

NAN reports that Nigeria is currently ranked 22nd in the world and third in Africa.