Oborududu eyes Olympic slot in Serbia

Blessing Oborududu, a two-time Commonwealth champion and Olympic silver medallist, aims to secure a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as she commences her campaign at the 2023 Pre Olympic Qualifiers in Belgrade, Serbia, starting on Wednesday.

Her compatriot, Odunayo Adekuoroye, who was eliminated in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, is determined to vie for a bronze medal that would secure her place in the Paris Olympics next year.

Adekuoroye’s journey in the tournament began with a convincing 9-7 victory over the world No. 4, Brazil’s Guilla Olivera, in the round of 16. She achieved this by lifting the Brazilian and slamming her onto the mat during their 57kg bout at the World Wrestling Championships. However, Adekuoroye, ranked 22nd, was then defeated 6-4 by former world No. 1, India’s Sarita Mor, in the quarter-finals.

The 29-year-old will compete in the repêchage (a contest for a place in the final) on Wednesday with the aim of wrestling for the bronze medal, after Mor secured her spot in the final.

In other quarter-final matches on the same day, Nigerians Mercy Genesis and Hannah Reuben missed their opportunity to qualify for the Olympics or compete for medals, as their quarter-final opponents did not advance to the final. Genesis lost 8-4 to Romania’s Emilia Grigore in the women’s 50kg category, while African Championships silver medallist Reuben was defeated 6-2 by Tatiana Renteria of Colombia in the women’s 76kg category.

For Wednesday’s games, 21-year-old Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Esther Kolawale will compete at 62kg, while African champion Christiana Ogunsoya will participate at 53kg.

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