Olympic silver medallist, Blessing Oborududu, will retire from the game of wrestling at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State, the Nigerian Wrestling Federation has announced.
The 36-year-old will take to the mat for her last competitive matches at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre in Ikenne, Ogun State, one of the venues of the 22nd National Sports Festival.
Wrestling got underway on Monday with the Greco Roman event while Oborududu and her female counterparts will begin their quest for medals on Tuesday (today).
Coincidentally, Oborududu’s debut at the National Sports Festival was in Abeokuta during the Gateway Games in 2006.
“A legend will be saying goodbye to a sport she has contributed immensely to grow through her dedication, passion, and achievements,” the NWF said in a statement on Monday.
“Her name resonates throughout Africa and beyond, evoking strong emotional responses from fans, Nigerian people, and well-wishers. The name Blessing Oborodudu is leaving a memorable and significant history with an inherent sound that would be easily recalled and remembered.”
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After her defeat at Gateway Games 2006 as an amateur wrestler, the 36-year-old has gone on to win gold in all her festival participation precisely, Kaduna 2009, Rivers 2011, Lagos 2012, Abuja 2018, Edo 2021, and Delta 2022.
Oborududu is a 12-time African champion and also became the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal.
She won a silver medal in the women’s freestyle 68kg wrestling category at the Tokyo 2020 games after losing 4-1 to USA’s Tamyra Stock-Mensah in the final.
