Team Nigeria ended their wrestling campaign at the Riyadh 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games on a brilliant note, securing another gold and silver medal on Thursday to reinforce the country’s strong presence on the mats.
The latest victories further lifted Nigeria’s medal standings as the competition approaches its final weekend.
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Esther Kolawole delivered one of the standout performances of the wrestling event, claiming the gold medal in the Women’s Freestyle 62kg category.
The Nigerian star overcame a strong challenge from Azerbaijan’s Ruzanna Mammadova, edging out a 6-4 victory in a keenly contested bout that kept spectators on edge until the final seconds.
Kolawole’s triumph added to her growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers on the international stage.
In the Women’s Freestyle 76kg class, Damola Ojo added another medal to Nigeria’s haul, securing silver after falling 11-1 to Kyrgyzstan’s Aiperi Kyzy in the final.
Despite the defeat, Ojo’s journey to the gold medal match underscored her resilience and competitive quality, ensuring Nigeria remained on the podium in one of the toughest categories of the tournament.
Team Nigeria’s overall medal tally at the Games to 29, comprising ten gold, twelve silver, and seven bronze medals.
Wrestling alone accounted for four of those medals, highlighting the team’s impressive consistency throughout the competition.
Earlier in the week, Christianah Ogunsanya had opened Nigeria’s gold account in wrestling with her victory in the Women’s Freestyle 53kg event on Wednesday.
Missinnei Mercy Genesis also contributed with a silver medal in the Women’s Freestyle 50kg category.
With two gold and two silver medals from wrestling, Nigeria’s contingent wrapped up its participation in the sport on a high, reinforcing the nation’s strength in women’s freestyle wrestling on the global stage.
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