Adekuruoye Promises Gold In Tokyo, Hails Sports Minister Dare

One of Nigeria’s biggest medal hopes at the Tokyo Olympics, Odunayo Adekuruoye says her sight is firmly set on winning gold for Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics this summer.

Adekuruoye who was ranked the world number one freestyle wrestler in the 57kg after winning her sixth consecutive African championship crown in February last year also won her event at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival and says her preparations are on course towards making history in Tokyo.

“The Sports Festival is part of my preparations for the Olympics and I will like to thank the Honourable Minister for Sports, chief Sunday Dare for ensuring we have the festival despite several postponements occasioned by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Adekuruoye who also says the Sports Minister has provided the enabling environment for her and others to have good preparations for the Olympics.

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“I am going to Tokyo with the sole aim of winning the gold,” she said.

Adekuruoye also hailed Daniel Igali, the chairman of Nigeria Wrestling Federation for his immense contributions to the development of Wrestling in Nigeria.

“Our chairman has been God-sent and his presence and contribution have been very impactful. Wrestling has become a major sport Nigerians are looking at for medals at the Olympics and we shall,by the grace of God make history by winning medals at the Tokyo Olympics.”

Igali, it would be recalled won gold for Canada at both the World Championship in Ankara, Turkey in 1999 and at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Since his return to Nigeria, Igali has committed resources to lifting the athletes and the sport to world standard such that a few of the athletes are now being seen as potential medallists at the forthcoming Olympics in Tokyo.