#NFRoundup

NF Roundup Blog, Feb. 22 - Feb. 28

Monday, February 22, 2021 - 13:52 By United World Wrestling Press

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Moore Defeats Pye, Named Canada's World Olympic Qualification Rep

Alex MOORE (CAN) of the Montreal Wrestling Club defeated Clayton PYE (CAN) in two straight matches to win the 86 kg wrestle-off and earn a spot at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament.

The wrestle-off, which was closed to the public, took place at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Moore fell behind early in the first match, trailing 0-4 at the halfway point.

“It’s been a while since I competed, it took some time getting the rust off,” said the 23-year-old.

“I got a pep talk from my coaches and got myself together. I knew I was fine, and I knew I could come back, so I didn’t panic.”

Moore went on to score six straight points to win the first match 6-4.

In the second match, Moore dominated and scored ten points quickly to win by technical superiority.

“It feels good to be back. In practice I’ve been feeling amazing, we’ve been training hard. I just need to transfer that to the tournament.”

“Now I need to go back to practice and find out how I can fix my mistakes, and keep taking it one day at a time.”

The World Olympic Qualification Tournament is the final chance for athletes to qualify for the postponed Tokyo Olympics. At the event, the top two spots in each weight-class will be awarded Olympic qualification.

“Thank you to the staff at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for their hard work and flexibility to help make this event happen,” added Tamara Medwidsky, Wrestling Canada Lutte’s Executive Director.

1300 Iranian Wrestling Coaches Participate in Scientific Webinar

While the COVID-19 crisis has a devastating impact on the world, the Iranian Wrestling Federation found a united way to reach 1300 coaches. The IWF hosted different education webinars gears towards refereeing, women's wrestling and coaches. The courses helped educate 31 wrestling accusations in all Iranian provinces. 

Meanwhile, during the final webinar, more than 1300 coaches participated in virtual educational courses that touched on coaching principles, training science, sports nutrition and psychology

#WrestleAlexandria

Nigeria Dominates African Championships with 4 WW Golds

Friday, May 1, 2026 - 17:21 By United World Wrestling Press

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ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 1) -- Barring a close loss at the 68kg weight class, Nigeria put up a near flawless performance at the African Championships. Nigeria won four out of five Women's Wrestling gold medals that were on offer on Saturday while the one went to hosts Egypt.

After the U17 and U20 African Championships, the senior continental began in Alexandria, Egypt with all 10 Greco-Roman and five Women's Wrestling weight classes.

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The golden night for Nigeria began when defending champion Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) maintained her perfect record at the African Championships, winning the 53kg gold for the fourth time. Wrestling Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV) in the final, Ogunsanya led 7-1 when the Ivory Coast wrestler pulled out of the final citing injury. The forfeit gave the U23 world bronze medalist Ogunsanya the victory.

At 57kg, Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) also became a four time African champion adding to her gold medals from 2022, 2023 and 2025. She defeated Achouak TEKOUK (ALG), 8-4, a final much closer than the score indicates.

The third gold for Nigeria came at 62kg as world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) won all four of her round-robin bouts with ease. She outscored her opponents 40-0, winning all four bouts via technical superiority.

In her first bout against Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY), who finished with a silver medalist, Kolawole used only one minute to gets a takedown and four turns to win the bout, a virtual final in hindsight.

At 76kg, Damola OJO (NGR) defended her gold medal to become a two-time African champion and win the fourth gold medal for Nigeria. She defeated Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 3-1, in the gold medal bout.

Sabah KHAMIS (EGY)Sabah KHAMIS (EGY) celebrates after beating Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in Round 1 bout at 68kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The only weight class in which Nigeria did not win a medal was 68kg. Local star and U20 African champion on Thursday Sabah KHAMIS (EGY) upset defending champion Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in their round-robin bout.

In what turned out to be the match of the morning session as they met in Round 1, Khamis held on to a thrilling 8-7 victory over Rueben who now has eight African Championships medals with three golds and five silvers.

Photo

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), via inj. (7-1)

BRONZE: Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR) df. Latifatu MOHAMMED (GHA), via forfeit
BRONZE: Cheima CHEBILA (ALG) df. Israa SLIMI (TUN), 8-0

57kg
GOLD: Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) df. Achouak TEKOUK (ALG), 8-4

BRONZE: Chahd JELJELI (TUN) df. Sara ETTAKI (MAR), via fall (4-0)

62kg
GOLD: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR)
SILVER: Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY)
BRONZE: Esraa JABRI (TUN)

68kg
GOLD: Sabah KHAMIS (EGY)
SILVER: Hannah RUEBEN (NGR)
BRONZE: Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG)

76kg
GOLD: Damola OJO (NGR) df. Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 3-1

BRONZE: Amy YOUIN (CIV) df. Rosine BODJRENOU (BEN), 10-0