Some of the country’s best wrestlers have converged on Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, which is hosting the fourth National Wrestling Championship.
 
Tagged “Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classic,” the championship, for the first time in iuts history, will feature beach wrestling.
 
The week-long tournament, which began on Wednesday and will end on April 1, 2026, is organised by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development in collaboration with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), drawing athletes from across the country and spotlighting emerging talents.
 
The historic inclusion of beach wrestling — a fast-growing global variant of the sport — marked a major highlight of the championship, with athletes competing on sand in fiercely contested bouts
 
Team Cross River have emerged as one of the standout performers in the new category, recording impressive victories early in the competition.
 Deborah Edet Ubana of Cross River opened the action with a notable victory over Blessing Apeh of Rivers State in the women’s 60kg category, setting the tone for an intense day of competition
 
Cross River further strengthened its dominance as Inah Johnson displayed superior technique and athleticism to overpower his opponent, securing another win for the team.
 
Other notable performers were Gabriel Ubana Edet, who won a gold medal in the men’s 55kg category, Mbasekei Lawrence Ubi (bronze medal, 57kg category, and Agoro Florence Sunday (bronze medal, Women’s 49kg category).
  
Speaking on the introduction of beach wrestling in the championship, Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, described it as a significant step for the sport’s development in Nigeria.
 
Igali noted that beach wrestling has already been featured in the Youth Olympics and is being considered by the International Wrestling Federation for inclusion in future Olympic Games.
 
“This is an opportunity for Nigeria to key into a growing global sport and develop athletes that can compete internationally,” he said.
 
The  Vice President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Chris Amkpila, also emphasised the importance of the tournament in talent discovery and athlete development.
 
He explained that competitions such as the Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classic provide a platform for young wrestlers to showcase their abilities and attract national and international scouts.
 
“We are going to identify the talents here, nurture them, and take them to the international level,” Amkpila stated.
 
Also speaking, Lieutenant Colonel Okou Femedein Timipre, an international referee and Executive Secretary of the International Military Sports Council, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, described the event as a strategic effort to popularise beach wrestling.
 
He noted that beach wrestling remains relatively new but holds strong potential for global growth.
 
“This competition is helping to introduce beach wrestling to the public and promote it as a sport that can gain worldwide acceptance,” he added.