Adeniyi focuses on World Wrestling medals after Nigeria’s participation in Kazakhstan
By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria’s quest for a podium finish at the World Wrestling Championships will continue, with Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) President Bashir Adewale Adeniyi insisting that the country’s latest campaign must serve as a foundation for future success.
Nigeria returned without a medal from the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, but Adeniyi believes the experience gained by the country’s wrestlers will be crucial to closing the gap on the world’s elite.
The federation chief’s optimism comes after Nigeria fielded 11 wrestlers at the competition, marking the largest contingent the country has reportedly presented at the global championship.
The priority for Adeniyi now is to build on that participation by strengthening athlete development, improving preparation and ensuring Nigerian wrestlers gain more opportunities to compete against top international opponents.
He maintained that the athletes deserved recognition for their efforts, particularly those who progressed to the later stages of their respective events despite the absence of a medal.
“I want to commend our wrestlers for their patriotism, determination, and commitment in representing Nigeria at the World Wrestling Championships.
As a federation, we will always appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of our athletes in representing this country, irrespective of the outcome. What matters is their commitment to national assignment and determination to give their best,” Adeniyi said.
The NWF president acknowledged that Nigeria still has work to do to become a consistent medal contender, stressing that international success requires more than participation alone.
“Medals are important, but they are not won overnight. We must continue to invest in our athletes, expose them to quality international competitions, and ensure that they have the necessary support to compete favourably against the best in the world,” he added.
According to CG of Customs, the Astana championships also provided an opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Nigerian team, giving the federation a clearer picture of the areas requiring attention.
He explained that exposing athletes to the pace, physical demands and technical standards of elite competition remains an important part of preparing them for future international assignments.
With Nigeria’s medal account still unopened at the 2026 championships, the challenge for the NWF will be to turn the lessons from Astana into measurable improvements in performance.
Adeniyi, however, expressed confidence that sustained investment and a more supportive competitive environment would help Nigerian wrestlers move closer to the podium at future world championships
