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John, Kolawole, others begin battle for Tokyo 2020 Olympics spots

By Samuel Ifetoye
06 May 2021   |   3:55 am
Nigerian wrestlers, Ogbonna Emmanuel John and Esther Omolayo Kolawole, are among 474 athletes from 84 countries that will compete for spots in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic wrestling, which begins today in Sofia, Bulgaria. The championship ends on May 9.

PHOTO: Konbini

Nigerian wrestlers, Ogbonna Emmanuel John and Esther Omolayo Kolawole, are among 474 athletes from 84 countries that will compete for spots in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic wrestling, which begins today in Sofia, Bulgaria. The championship ends on May 9.

Contesting in the freestyle 74kg male category, John has the opportunity to represent his country, so is also his compatriot, Kolawole, fighting in the 53kg women freestyle. There are 16 other weight categories, which have two tickets up for grabs, with semifinal winners securing their spots.

The Nigerian hopefuls left the country on Tuesday via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos aboard Turkish Airline in company of the national women’s team coach, Akuh Purity.

Meanwhile, seven Olympics medalists, who are yet to qualify for the rescheduled Olympics in Japan, are in Sofia to make sure they have opportunity to find glory once again.

It will be recalled that five Nigerian wrestlers, including Odunayo Adekuoroye (53kg), Blessing Oborududu (68kg), Aminat Adeniyi (62kg), Adijat Idris (50kg) and Ekerekeme Agiomor (86kg) have already secured qualifications for the delayed Summer Games, holding between July 23 and August 8.

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