NWF stages US camp for World Wrestling Champs

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has been actively preparing for the upcoming 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Federation president Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has greenlit the creation of a training camp at Iowa State University in the United States to accommodate Nigerian wrestlers residing across various parts of the country.

This camp aims to unite top wrestlers studying in the U.S., alongside home-based athletes with valid American visas, and Nigerian-born wrestlers living in the U.S. who have joined the program. The federation hopes that this initiative will not only bolster the national team's skills but also foster stronger relationships between Nigerian wrestlers in the host country and those in the diaspora.

Nigerian Women’s Wrestling Coach Purity Akuh expressed optimism about the camp, stating that it would provide athletes with access to modern equipment, facilities, and competitive dual meets. These competitions will include bouts against the United States Army wrestling team and sessions with some of the country’s top wrestlers.

Akuh praised Adeniyi for ensuring the necessary arrangements and resources were in place, attributing his support as crucial for the athletes' preparation for the global event. She emphasized that such opportunities at the Iowa training camp are vital for exposing Nigerian wrestlers to world-class facilities, high-level competition, and the best athletes and coaches in the sport.

Nigeria's last medal at the World Championships was achieved by Odunayo Adekuoroye in 2023, and the federation remains hopeful that the Iowa camp will contribute to improving on this record in Astana.