Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Yenagoa, Nigeria — The 14th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics commenced on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Ovom, Bayelsa State, bringing together elite and emerging wrestling athletes from across Nigeria. The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who also serves as President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, used the opening ceremony to call on participants to embrace discipline, fairness, professionalism, and an unyielding commitment to excellence in the sport. His remarks underscored wrestling’s growing importance as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sporting identity and its role as a platform for discovering and nurturing talent that can represent the country on regional and global stages.
Adeniyi described the Classics as more than just a competition. He said it represents a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian sport, playing a critical role in athlete development and contributing to sustained success for the nation in wrestling. He stressed that the tournament helps build a pathway for young wrestlers to grow in the sport, reinforcing structured grassroots programmes designed to identify and cultivate talent from an early age and support athletes as they transition into higher levels of competition.
Highlighting recent positive developments in Nigerian wrestling, Adeniyi revealed that the sport was featured for the first time at the Nigerian University Games, a milestone he described as strategic for broadening the talent pool and integrating athletic excellence into academic environments. This inclusion, he said, would help student-athletes gain exposure and experience as they balance educational pursuits with competitive sport, creating smoother pathways from campus competition to professional events.
In line with efforts to reward commitment and support athletes’ welfare, the CGC announced that all registered participants at the Classics would receive a participation allowance of N25,000 each. Medal winners were promised enhanced prize money, and participating teams were assured of improved logistical support to ease the demands of competition. Adeniyi described these incentives as part of a broader commitment to encourage athletes to strive for excellence and remain focused on their sporting goals.
Adeniyi also urged wrestlers to uphold the integrity of the sport by strictly observing competition rules and avoiding practices that could undermine fairness or harm their careers. He warned against misconduct, reiterating that discipline and respect for the sport’s regulations are essential to personal success and the reputation of Nigerian wrestling.
The CGC took time to commend Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri for his continued support and investment in wrestling development. He said the state government’s commitment had been instrumental in sustaining the Classics over the years, reinforcing Yenagoa’s reputation as a hub for sporting excellence in Nigeria. Adeniyi officially declared the tournament open, encouraging all participants to compete with sportsmanship and to uphold the values that wrestling exemplifies.
Beyond the opening day, the Classics continued to unfold against a backdrop of impressive performances. With more than 600 athletes from nearly all Nigerian states and clubs taking part, Bayelsa emerged as the overall champion at the conclusion of the event. The host state dominated multiple wrestling disciplines, including Greco-Roman, women’s freestyle, men’s freestyle, and the newly introduced beach wrestling category, illustrating both depth and breadth in its wrestling programme. Bayelsa finished the tournament with a commanding points tally, significantly ahead of other competitors.
Several athletes delivered standout performances throughout the competition. Seven-time national champion Mercy Adekuoroye successfully defended her title in the women’s 65kg category, overcoming strong opposition in a technical and high-intensity final. Other notable victories included wins in women’s and men’s weight classes by athletes from a range of states, demonstrating the Classics’ role in showcasing talent from across the country and reinforcing the sport’s competitive landscape.
The Classics also introduced beach wrestling — a new category aimed at broadening participation and preparing athletes for multi-disciplinary events such as the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. This expansion reflects growing ambitions within the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to align national competition structures with international trends and enhance athletes’ adaptability across formats.
The successful staging of the 2026 Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Classics adds to Bayelsa’s growing reputation as a centre for sports development. The state government’s sustained investment in athletic programmes has drawn commendations from sports administrators and has been linked to broader initiatives aimed at increasing youth participation in sport, building infrastructure, and promoting athletic excellence.
As the Classics concluded, attention shifted toward upcoming regional and international competitions, with many athletes using the experience gained in Yenagoa as preparation for continental championships and future Olympic qualifiers. Organisers, athletes, and officials have framed the event not only as a national celebration of wrestling but also as a stepping stone toward building stronger competitive representation for Nigeria on the African continent and beyond.
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