Sports
Gov Diri Classics: Bayelsa, Delta Dominate Medals Table
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Ekerekeme Agiomor, African champions Soso Tamarau and Esther Kolawole, as well as Ebi Biogos, Ebipadei Mughenbofa and Petezilagha Obazee, all won gold in their respective weight categories on the penultimate day of competition at the 1st Gov. Diri National Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Wrestling in the 86kg Freestyle event, Team Delta’s Agiomor, a 2018 African champion, relied on his vast experience to overpower Jackson Oluwafemi of Ondo State 4-3 in a keenly-contested final to clinch gold, thereby avenging a shock defeat to his opponent in the earlier round.
“To be honest with you, the boy really gave me a tough fight,” Agiomor admitted after his hard-earned win.
“Secondly, I haven’t really hit form before I wrestled with him. But by the grace of God, the wisdom and my understanding of the mat, I was able to win this bout.
“I feel happy; very, very happy because in the first bout against him, what I didn’t expect happened. But I made up my mind and prayed to God to win him (in the final).”
Meanwhile, Yahaya Muhammed of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) won the bronze medal on offer in the 86kg class.
In the 97kg class, veteran former African champion, Soso Tamarau of Team Delta, secured gold after round-robin wins against Omega Bassey ( Bayelsa State), Yahaya Idris (Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC) and Sunday Olawale (Kwara State). Bassey and Idris won silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Similarly, Petezilagha Obazee of Team Edo impressively thrashed Team Bayelsa’s Andaowei Asanakpa 10-0 via technical superiority in the final of the 92kg class to win gold. Micah Damini of Team Delta got the bronze medal on offer in that category.
In Women Wrestling, African champion and World U-23 bronze-medalist, Esther Kolawole needed just 86sec to defeat home girl Favour Opuene 4-0 via pinfall in the final of the 62kg class.
In the same vein, Team Bayelsa’s Ebi Biogos secured a 6-4 pinfall victory against former African Junior champion Sunmisola Balogun of Ondo State to claim gold in the 72kg class in a tough finale that saw both wrestlers leave everything on the mat.
After a couple of attempts at senior level, youngster Ebipadei Mughenbofa (Team Bayelsa) finally won her first National title, claiming gold in the 65kg class following round-robin wins against Temene Deye of Ijaw Club and Team Ondo’s Esther Asaolu, who won silver and bronze medals respectively.
The 1st Gov. Diri National Wrestling Classics will come to an end yesterday, with the likes of Olympic silver medalist Blessing Oborududu, multiple African champions, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Amas Daniel, Mercy Genesis, all being in action at the Indoor Sports Hall of Samson Siasia Sports complex, Yenagoa.
Sports
Tottenham’s Miserable Run Continues
Relegation-threatened Tottenham’s miserable 2026 continued as their winless run extended to 10 league games with Fulham gaining a deserved victory to boost their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Fulham, who scored twice in the opening six minutes in their 2-1 win over Spurs in November, again got an early goal with Harry Wilson netting in the seventh minute.
However, the goal was controversial as new Spurs boss Igor Tudor felt it should have been disallowed as home striker Raul Jimenez pushed Radu Dragusin as they challenged for a Kenny Tete cross, before Oscar Bobb picked out Wilson to volley home from six yards out.
Tottenham had a similar goal ruled out last week in their 4-1 loss to Arsenal for a foul by Randal Kolo Muani on Gunners defender Gabriel but, following a check from the video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson, Fulham’s goal was allowed to stand, much to Tudor’s fury.
Spurs, though, had no excuses for the 34th-minute second goal with Alex Iwobi left with space to shoot home superbly from 18 yards out, with the ball going in off the inside of the post after a neat exchange with Wilson.
Sports
City Survive Leeds’ Challenge At Elland Road
Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United.
The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League.
City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.
But Ghana international Semenyo stretched to convert Rayan Ait-Nouri’s fizzed low ball into the penalty area for his sixth City goal since joining from Bournemouth in January.
Leeds will be wondering how they did not score after making a sprightly start and giving City real cause for early concern.
Meanwhile , a clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
Bayern Rebound To Overcome Dortmund In Bundesliga (5)
Harry Kane scored two second-half goals as Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling match and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
The England striker took his tally to 45 goals in all competitions this season as Bayern became the first team to inflict a home league defeat on Dortmund.
Kane, who passed 500 A clinical Liverpool performance helped them beat battling West Ham in the Premier League and move level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
The hosts were 3-0 up at the break thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister.
West Ham pulled one back early in the second half through Tomas Soucek before Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s three-goal lead in the 70th minute.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored again through Taty Castellanos, but an Axel Disasi own goal ensured Liverpool hit five goals in a league game for the first time this season.
All three of the Reds’ first-half goals came from set-pieces – with Arne Slot’s side now leading the table in 2026 when it comes to goals from set-plays (excluding penalties).
In the fifth minute, Ryan Gravenberch teed up Ekitike, who finished smartly to beat Mads Hermansen at the near post for his 16th goal of the season.
West Ham threatened to equalise, but against the run of play Liverpool doubled their advantage when Van Dijk headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner.
The visitors failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s complacency with Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jarrod Bowen and Soucek all wasting chances.
And just before half-time, Mac Allister’s superb volley took a deflection and ended in the back of the net. That was the cue for sections of the travelling support to head for the exits.
Nico Schlotterbeck’s opener.
Dortmund thought they had snatched a point when Daniel Svensson’s thumping volley sent Signal Iduna Park into pandemonium.
But that was until Joshua Kimmich’s strike three minutes from time kept Bayern in pole position to win a 14th title in 15 seasons.
Schlotterbeck headed Dortmund ahead in the 26th minute when he rose highest in a crowded penalty area to connect with Svensson’s free-kick from the left.
Dortmund had the chance to double their lead later in the half when Fabio Silva squared the ball to Maximilian Beier, who was denied by the onrushing Jonas Urbig.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, Bayern – playing with a front three of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz – were unable to test Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
But Kane equalised early in the second period with a poacher’s effort from inside the area at the end of a slick move involving Kimmich and Serge Gnabry.
Both teams missed chances before Kane scored a penalty – a record 10th in a Bundesliga season – after Josip Stanisic was floored by Schlotterbeck.
Dortmund levelled when Svensson volleyed past Urbig, but Kimmich all but ended their hopes of winning a first title since 2012.
Sports
PSG Extend Lead In Ligue 1
Paris St-Germain stretched their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to four points by claiming a narrow win at Le Havre.
The defending champions hoped to take advantage after second-placed Lens drew at Strasbourg on Friday, and Bradley Barcola gave them a deserved lead shortly before half-time.
PSG had chances to extend their lead and substitute Desire Doue had a late penalty saved by Le Havre goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Lee Kang-In had an effort saved by Diaw before his right-wing cross was headed home by Barcola for his ninth goal of the season.
Moments later Lee fired wide when through on goal, before PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired against a post just after half-time.
Keeper Matvey Safonov made a fine save from Issa Soumare to keep PSG in front, while Diaw denied substitutes Nuno Mendes, Ibrahim Mbaye and Doue.
Diaw parried Doue’s spot-kick low to his right after Doue was brought down by Lucas Gourna-Douath with 11 minutes left.
-
Politics3 days agoSenate Urges Tinubu To Sack CAC Boss
-
News3 days agoAmend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators
-
News3 days agoDisu Takes Over As New IGP …Declares Total War On Corruption, Impunity
-
Business3 days ago
President Tinubu Extends Raw Shea Nuts Export Ban To 2027
-
Business3 days ago
Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.
-
Business3 days ago
President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export
-
Sports3 days ago
NDG: Rivers Coach Appeal To NDDC In Talent Discovery
-
Rivers3 days ago
Etche Clan Urges Govt On Chieftaincy Recognition
