The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has approved a total of 39 different events for the 3rd Gov. Dickson National Classics in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
All the 10 senior weight classes in each of the three wrestling styles will feature at the Championships to be staged between June 15 and June 30, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Samson Siasia Sports Stadium.
In Women Wrestling, the following events will be competed for: 50kg, 53kg, 55kg, 57kg, 59kg, 62kg, 65kg, 68kg, 72kg and76kg. While athletes will also via for honours in the Freestyle events in these weight classes: 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 79kg, 86kg, 92kg, 97kg, 125kg.
Also, in the Greco Roman style, the senior wrestlers will compete in the 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 72kg, 77kg, 82kg 87kg, 97kg and 130kg categories.
READ ALSO: NNPC earns $490m from oil, gas export in February
A statement by the Technical Director of NWF, Sir. Damian Ohaike informed that three weight classes for cadet (Under 15) athletes in each of the three styles will also feature at the tournament which will equally serve as qualifiers for the 12th All Africa Games in Rabat, Morocco and the 2019 World Championships later this year in Kazakhstan.
The nine weight classes for the cadet events are: Women Wrestling: 36kg, 46kg, 53kg. Freestyle: 46kg, 48kg, 55kg. Greco Roman: 46kg, 48kg, 55kg.
The cadet events will be used to assess referees who will participate in a 4-day international course prior to the commencement of competition.
Over 500 athletes and officials from different states and wrestling clubs in Nigeria are expected in Yenagoa for the 3rd Gov. Dickson National Classics