Team Nigeria made a resounding statement on the opening day of the 2026 African Senior Wrestling Championships, securing four gold medals out of a possible five in the women’s freestyle events. 

The dominant performance in Alexandria has placed Nigeria firmly in the lead as they chase an unprecedented 15th consecutive continental women’s title.

The “gold rush” was spearheaded by reigning African champion Esther Kolawole, who delivered a masterclass in the 62kg category. Kolawole overwhelmed South Africa’s Katelyn Swan with a 10-0 technical superiority victory, clinching her fifth individual African title. Her flawless run, in which she outscored her opponents 40-0 across her bouts, solidified her status as one of the continent’s most formidable athletes.

Earlier in the day, Christianah Ogunsanya set the pace by winning Nigeria’s first gold of the competition. Competing in the 53kg division, she secured a disciplined 7-1 victory over Ivory Coast’s Nogona Bakayoko. The momentum continued with Jumoke Adekoye in the 57kg category, who battled to an 8-4 win against Algeria’s Achouak Tekouk, further extending Nigeria’s lead on the medals table.

The quartet of gold medals was completed by Hannah Ojo in the heavyweight division. In a tactical encounter, Ojo edged out Cameroon’s Pelagie Wilita with a 3-1 scoreline. Nigeria’s near-perfect opening day was only slightly tempered in the 68kg category, where veteran Hannah Reuben secured a silver medal after a hard-fought battle, losing to Egypt’s Sabah Khamis.

Reacting to the stellar start, the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, expressed immense pride in the team’s discipline.

“We feel very proud to be flying the flag of Nigeria very high,” Adeniyi stated. “Five times the national anthem was played today, and Nigeria’s anthem was heard four out of those five times. These women have chosen sport as an avenue for transformation, and they have done the nation proud.”

As the championships continue, the focus shifts to the men’s freestyle and remaining women’s categories. With four golds and one silver already in the bag, the Nigerian contingent remains the team to beat as they look to maintain their long-standing supremacy on the African continent.