By Solomon Nwoke
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Dr Daniel Igali has given kudos to the team of Nigerian wrestlers at the just ended Spanish Wrestling Grand Prix in Madrid.

In the 58kg female wrestling, Aminat Adeniyi won a bronze after beating a Bulgarian Hristov by pin-fall and went ahead to defeat Mattson of Sweden 4-3 to clinch the bronze while Odunayo Adekuoroye defeated a Russian opponent 10 – 0  to win a bronze.

Blessing Oborodudu in the 63kg weight class lost 1-1 to Belarus by criteria in the final and won a silver. Belarus won the last point.

In the 97kg freestyle men, Soso Tamaru lost against Hungary in the ninth round of 16 and did not advance while Amas Daniel in the 65kg weight class won against France in the round of 32 but lost to Russia in the round of 16 and likewise, did not advance.

A total of 54 countries participated at the tournament.

In his assessment, the NWF boss described the tournament as  a good test for the Rio 2016 Olympics  bound team.

“This was a good test for the Olympics. I wish we had a few more tournaments like we had originally planned before the Olympics. Congratulations to all the young men and women for their tremendous effort. This tournament no doubt, gave the Nigerian Olympic team a taste of what to expect in Rio. Interestingly, there are quite a few teams who are here with their 2020 Olympic hopefuls. That is how to prepare. We will get there too someday. I wish them luck at the Games”, he said.