Nigeria’s search for a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games became a reality on Monday after Blessing Oborududu qualified for the final of the women’s freestyle 68kg in the wrestling event of the games.
The 10-time African champion started her campaign against Azerbaijan’s Elis Manolova in the first round (round of 16) and she dominated the European champion and world championship bronze medallist with 13-2 victory by technical superiority with points scored by opponent (VSU1) to advance to quarterfinal where she faced Kyrgyzstan’s Meetim Zhumanazarova, 2018 Asian Games bronze medalist.
The close encounter saw the Nigerian prevailing at 3-2 victory by points with points scored by the opponent (VPO1).
The semifinal bout, which ensured that Nigeria was certain of its first medal saw Oborududu taking her experienced opponent Mongolia’s Battsetseg Soronzonbold to the cleaner with 7-2 (VPO1) to set up a final clash against number one seed American Tamyra Marianna Stock-Mensah on Tuesday August 3.
