The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has scheduled national trials for January 6, 2026, to select female wrestlers who will represent the country in international competitions during the 2026 calendar year. The trials, according to a statement issued by the NWF Secretary General, Mr. Oluwasegun Bode Ademisoro, will be held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State. The exercise will focus exclusively on four women’s weight categories as part of preparations for Nigeria’s international wrestling engagements.
Mr. Ademisoro explained that the decision to organise the trials followed the indefinite postponement of the 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Championship. The championship was initially designated as the primary platform for ranking athletes and selecting members of the national team.The postponement, he said, was made in honour of the late Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away less than 48 hours before the championship was scheduled to commence.
According to the NWF, the national trials are intended to ensure transparency, fairness, and merit-based selection in the process of identifying wrestlers for international competitions in 2026. The federation stressed that competitive integrity remains central to its talent identification and athlete development framework.The trials will be conducted in four women’s weight categories: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, and 67kg. The 67kg category was listed as 68kg in the official invitation documents, the federation clarified.
For each weight class, four wrestlers have been invited based on their performances at major national competitions, including the National Wrestling Championships and the National Sports Festival. Only the top-ranked athletes in these categories were selected to compete in the trials.In the 53kg category, the invited wrestlers are Ogunsanya Christiana of Oyo State, Ayelon Mary of Bayelsa State, Zannu Mausi of Lagos State, and Ayo Esewi of Edo State. The 57kg category will feature Bekefula Tarilayefa (Bayelsa), Jumuoke Adekoye (Ondo), Onize Umman (Rivers), and Esosuakpo Faith (Edo).Competing in the 62kg division are Esther Kolawole of Rivers State, Precious Tiebiri of Delta State, Appah Blessing of Nasarawa State, and Patience Kakan of Bayelsa State.
For the 67kg category, the invited wrestlers include Odede Rita of Nasarawa State, Joseph Deborah of Osun State, Reuben Hannah of the Nigerian Army, and Adekuoroye Mercy of Ondo State. The NWF noted that the outcome of the trials will form the basis for selecting athletes to represent Nigeria in international wrestling competitions scheduled for 2026. The federation also announced that a new date for the postponed 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Championship will be communicated in due course. The rescheduled championship is expected to serve as the ranking and selection platform for wrestlers in the remaining weight categories not covered by the January trials.
