NIGERIA. Lagos State: Team Nigeria has emerged the winner of this year’s Africa Arm wrestling Championship which took place in Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos State.
The President of the Africa Arm wrestling Federation, Charles Asibey, said the competition, which has about 12 countries taking part, has lived up to the expectation as it was a success. He is optimistic that the preceding event will be bright.
Asibey added that the last time the competition was hosted by Nigeria, only five countries took part and compared to this edition, about 12 nations partake in the event. This is a big development and we are so proud that the sport is now gradually lifting from the ground and gaining good acceptance.
Arm wrestling is a nice sport which requires adequate techniques, and tactics to achieve its set goals.
We are proud of what we have seen today, especially from countries that participated for the first time. Indeed, it is a great moment in the history of the sport, Asibey.
Also speaking, Asibey’s vice president, and President of the Nigeria Arm wrestling Federation, Samuel Jackson, noted that the core objective behind the hosting of the event in Nigeria was to create more awareness for the sport to be recognised at the coming Nigeria Sports Festival.
Samuel added that Arm wrestling has grown in Nigeria and hosting and winning it here in Nigeria is an added advantage to the overall development of the sport in Nigeria.
The overall target is for the Honorable Minister of Sport, Sunday Dare to recognize the sport so that we can participate at the next Africa Games in Ghana, Samuel said.
Participating Countries
The participating countries in this year’s arm wrestling included Cameroon, Togo, Benin, Madagascar, Senegal, Cote dI’Voire, Guinea Conakry, Somalia and Niger among others nations.
Medal tables
Nigeria’s team has 27 golds, 27 silvers, and 22 bronze medals.While Egypt won 24 gold medals.Ghana is in the third position with 18 golds, 22 silver and five bronze medals to the delight of the coach.
However, Ghana will be the host of the next and 12th edition of the competition.
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