Sunmisola Balogun, on Friday qualified to represent Nigeria in the 72kg category at the forthcoming African Games in Morocco after she clinched the gold.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Balogun defeated her other three opponents in the category, through a round-robin format in the ongoing third edition of the Gov. Dickson National Wrestling Classics.
NAN reports that Balogun upgraded from 68kg to 72kg for this tournament.
This is her first time of wrestling in the 72kg weight category.
Balogun’s fight against Winnie Gofit was a keenly contested match that kept the spectators on their toes.
The encounter ended on a 1-1 draw, but Balogun won because she got the last point within the last 30 seconds.
READ ALSO:Milan banned from 2019-20 Europa League for FFP breach
Balogun also triumphed over Bayelsa’s Deyei Teimene by 6-1.
An excited Balogun said that qualifying for the African Games was her target while preparing for this competition.
“What really encouraged me is that I lost my Daddy about two years ago and I promised him that anytime I have a competition I will always win for him.
“With the promise, I have to do whatever it takes to win no matter the opposition,’’ she said.
According to her, the contest against Gofit was a difficult one.
“I thank God for the victory. I believe I trained more than her and that really encouraged me for the match.
“I train three times a day with or without competition. That’s my daily routine at getting better in wrestling,’’ she said.
NAN reports that states participating in the competition are: Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Bauchi, Kano, Kogi, Ondo State, Oyo State, Ogun, Osun, Niger, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Lagos, Plateau, Adamawa, Federal Capital Territory, Kebi, Sokoto State, Zamfara, Ebonyi and Enugu.
The clubs are: Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sports Academy, Ayala Club, Purity Club, Robinson Club, Calabar Cannan Club, Nigeria Police Force and Edo Club.
No fewer than 513 wrestlers are participating in the championships and 150 officials.
NAN reports that the championships which started on June 24 will end on July 1. (NAN)
