Sports
Adekuoroye Eyes Gold In Upcoming World Championship Wrestling
A gold medalist at the just concluded 2018 Commonwealth Games, Odunayo Adekuoroye, says her next target is to win gold medal at the upcoming World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary in October.
Adekuoroye made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
The mats woman, who missed out from becoming the first African female world champion in Paris in 2018, said her performance in Gold Coast, Australia, was a major-boost ahead of the championships.
She added that she would prepare better ahead of the event.
“My target now is to become a world champion and I am looking forward to the tournament in Hungary to achieve my objective,” the 2017 world wrestling championships silver medalist said.
Tidesports source reports that Adekuoroye clinched a consecutive gold medal in Australia, after grabbing her first in the 53kg category in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014.
She went on to affirm her supremacy in the category in the Gold Coast Games by defeating India’s Pooja Dhanda 7-5 in the Women’s Freestyle 57kg in Gold Coast.
The 24-year-old added that she was not surprised at her remarkable performance at the Commonwealth Games.
“I am not surprised I won. I had prepared very well and all I had in mind was to duplicate the gold I got in Glasgow.
“My opponents’ from other countries are very good, but God and hard work kept me outstanding,” she said.
It would be recalled that Team Nigeria won 24 medals, made up of nine gold, nine silver and six bronze, and was placed ninth on the medals standings of 71 countries that participated in the Games.
The National Division One and Division Two Volleyball Leagues organised by the Volleyball Federation of Nigeria and sponsored by Alex Otti has kicked off in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Championship features 34 teams from across the country, with about 22 States already participating in activities lined up for the ten-day event.
Addressing journalists at the Umuahia Stadium, the Referee Coach for the tournament and Vice Chairman Nigerian Volleyball Referees Association, Mohamed Mohamed, assured of fair officiating in the competition and advised the athletes to be more disciplined in the field of play, saying that volleyball is known to be a disciplined sport.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for sponsoring the tournament for the second time.
“Last year, we were here, and we so appreciate the Abia State Government for sponsoring such a competition. The same thing happened this year too, we are here again.
The Coordinator, Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, has stated that the All Women 10km Race aims to connect through their communities, while creating empowerment opportunities.
The 10th edition with the theme: “One Run, a thousand Opportunities,” will come up on the November 8th, 2025, with the start point at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and end at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan.
This year’s edition of the Lagos Women Run marks a significant milestone, celebrating the program’s journey, the vibrant city of Lagos, and the incredible women who have been part of it since its inception.
It will focus more on empowering women, acknowledging their dedication, and ensuring the program’s sustainability by providing participants with opportunities they deserve.
Popoola added that the race has achieved remarkable success in making women happy and uncovering talents, serving as a platform for participants to train for bigger road races, which fosters a strong sense of community, allowing women of all ages to connect, network, and celebrate themselves.
The event’s non-discriminatory nature makes it a level playing ground, open to everyone regardless of social status, by promoting general well-being among women.
The Franco-Malian tactician made the bold declaration whilst speaking to Nigerian legend Segun Odegbami on 90 Minutes with Mathematical on Eagle7FM on Saturday, expressing gratitude to fans for their support.
“Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I am so happy that I have brought back the smiles on their faces,” Chelle said.
“We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them this: They have to do this (for the playoffs)… I plan to do my best for Nigeria, and Inshallah, we will go to the FIFA World Cup.”
Chelle, who took charge of a struggling Nigerian side in January, has transformed the team’s fortunes after inheriting a squad on the brink of disaster. Nigeria were winless in their first four qualifiers, with three draws and one defeat threatening to derail another World Cup dream.
Under his leadership, the Super Eagles rallied to win four and draw two of their last six games, collecting 14 points from a possible 18. The highlight came earlier this month in Uyo, where Nigeria swept past Benin Republic 4-0 in a statement victory that reignited national belief.
However, the revival was not enough to seal automatic qualification. Nigeria finished among the four best runners-up in Africa and must now navigate a continental playoff in November for a spot in next March’s intercontinental tie.
The first challenge is a one-legged showdown with Gabon, with Cameroon or DR Congo potentially waiting beyond.
Chelle’s message to his players was uncompromising, saying, “Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup is not a war, but it is like a war… My players need to have a warrior state of mind… They have to be like sharks.”