African Armwrestling: Nigeria Shines with 24 Gold on Day One

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The host nation, Nigeria, delivered a dominant performance on Day One of the 14th African Armwrestling Championship in Abuja, capturing a staggering 24 gold medals, alongside 19 silver and 19 bronze, in the Left Hand competition.

The thrilling opening day of action at the M.K.O. Abiola National Stadium witnessed power-packed matchups as Cameroon and Ghana followed closely with 14 gold and 13 gold medals, respectively. With over 400 athletes from 20 countries competing, the championship is living up to its billing as Africa’s biggest showdown in armwrestling history.

Day One Medal Table (Left Hand):

Nigeria: 24 Gold, 19 Silver, 19 Bronze

Cameroon: 14 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze

Ghana: 13 Gold, 12 Silver, 1 Bronze

Benin Republic: 12 Gold, 15 Silver, 6 Bronze

Mali: 5 Gold, 2 Silver

Egypt: 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze

Chad: 1 Gold

Burkina Faso: 1 Silver

Niger: 1 Silver

Togo: 2 Silver, 2 Bronze

Senegal & Mauritius: 1 Bronze each

With the Right Hand contests set for today, all eyes are on the final battles that will determine the overall team champion. The closing ceremony will follow immediately, featuring cultural displays and an official flag handover.

 

Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Hon. Adeboye Adeyinka, praised the athletes’ performances and the professionalism of the event so far

“From the intensity of the contests to the unity we’ve witnessed among nations, this has been a showcase of African strength and excellence. We look forward to a grand finale that will leave lasting memories.”

The President of the African Armwrestling Federation, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, added:

“African armwrestling has taken a bold step forward. The performances are world-class, and the spirit is inspiring.”

Fans can watch the finals live on YouTube as the continent’s best battle for the remaining medals and qualification slots for the 2025 World Championship in Bulgaria and the 2027 All-African Games in Egypt.