Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
After a meritorious representation of Nigeria at continental and international levels winning laurels, Blessing Oborududu, a Nigerian and African first Olympic medalist in wrestling regreted that sports achievers are not valued in Nigeria.
Oborududu, a Bayless State-born retired wrestler who clocked 37 on April 1 made the statement on Wednesday in Lagos during a radio interview on Eko 89.7 FM, Global Sports.
The radio programme anchored by veteran sports broadcaster, Godwin Enakhena, had asked why Oborududu had to retire even as it was expected age was still at her advantage.
In the words of the Tokyo Olympic 2020 silver medalist, “I retired from wrestling because, one, players are not well treated in Nigeria; after winning medal at the Tokyo Olympics as the first person in Africa, apart from the winning fee, all other promises from government, individuals and groups, till date no one has been fulfilled.”
”The second reason is that, I felt I’ve paid my dues and there was need for me to give the younger ones a chance to prove themselves and third reason is that, I’ve been managing an injury for a very long time, but I cannot cope with the pain any longer, I have to stop,” she concluded.
Speaking on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic feat, Oborududu who is also a Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalsist in wrestling, confessed that the ‘Olympic silver medal was a turning point in her career as it was a jinx broken in Olympic wrestling for Nigeria and Africa.
Recall the Baylesa lady who retired after winning a gold medal in the 68kg at the National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2025, was defeated for the Olympic gold by America’s Tamyra Mensah-Stock in a gripping match that saw both wrestlers give little away.
”I valued the Olympic silver medal so much because I prepared for the Games very, very well, though not with any specific medal in mind, but that I was going to win a medal; besides, I’m the first to win any medal in Olympic wrestling in Nigeria and the first person in Africa too; so it’s was great achievement in my career. The most interesting thing is that the person who defeated me for gold, has defeated me before, although I gave my all to defeat her but, it didn’t work out,” she enthused.
Born April 1, 1989, she is now in the wrestling federation board and also a trainer to help “catch them young.”
