Ondo Shines With Three Gold In Female Wrestling

Ondo State female wrestlers have taken the lead with three gold medals  in 54kg, 51kg, 59kg and a bronze in 63kg at the on-going 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.

Delta State trailed behind Ondo with one gold and one silver medals in 55kg and 59kg respectively, while the host Rivers State came third with one gold medal in 63kg and two bronze medals in 72kg and 67kg respectively.

Shola Makanjuola, chief coach, Ondo State Wrestling Association told reporters on Monday  that he was proud of the girls, saying that they excelled beyond his  expectation.

He said that taking the right instruction and listening to advice of coaches had helped the female wrestlers.

He also said that he was optimistic that the male wrestlers in the remaining events  will at least get two gold medals.

“The girls have been taking to instructions very well and it has helped them but I believe our boys too will do better,“ he said.

Meanwhile, the state’s sports council chairman, Bamido Omogehin commended the state athletes for their dedication and courage at the festival.

He tipped them to  go for gold medals for the state to be in the front burner, saying that they will be rewarded adequately for performances after the festival.

“Our athletes should strive and get more gold medals because they are going to be rewarded with cash prizes and other incentives to commensurate their performances,’’ he said.

He, however, said that judges and referees should be fair in their judgment  for the festival to achieve its purpose.

The overall results released on Monday, Ondo is still in the fourth position with seven gold, 10 Silver and 11 bronze medals.