Ogunsanya wins Nigeria’s first medal in Mongolia

African champion Christianah Ogunsanya secured Nigeria’s first medal at the ongoing World Wrestling Ranking Series in Mongolia after claiming bronze in the women’s competition on Friday, PidomNigeria Sports Extra reports.

Ogunsanya finished on the podium after defeating Mongolia’s Bayanmunkh 6-6 on technical criteria in the bronze medal bout, handing Team Nigeria its first medal of the tournament.

The multiple-time African champion had opened her campaign impressively with a dominant 10-0 superiority victory over Mongolia’s Tsovoo Gankhuyag before suffering a 10-0 defeat to Japan’s Kiyooka M in her next bout.

Nigeria narrowly missed another medal as Commonwealth champion Mercy Genesis lost 7-2 to Turkey’s Evin Demirhan in the bronze medal contest.

Reacting to Ogunsanya’s achievement, Nigeria women’s wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, praised the wrestler’s effort and said the result showed the country could compete with the world’s best.

“First and foremost, I give thanks to Almighty God for this medal. This medal proves that Nigeria can compete with the world’s leading wrestling nations and elite athletes,” Akuh said.

“Our wrestlers have gained valuable experience from this tournament, and as their coach, I have also learned important lessons that will help us improve and prepare better for future competitions, especially the 2028 Olympic Games.”

Akuh also thanked the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Bashir Adeniyi, for facilitating the team’s participation at the event.

The coach added that attention would now shift to the remaining bouts involving Esther Kolawole and Hannah Damola Ojo as Team Nigeria targets more podium finishes in Mongolia.

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