Blessing Oborududu, a 2021 Tokyo Olympic silver medalist, on Wednesday bid an emotional goodbye to wrestling after 19 years of active bout on the mat

The 14-times African champion won her final bout to clinch a gold medal for Team Bayelsa at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun.

The victory thus put an end to the illustrious career of the Bayelsa-born wrestler who has now ended it on the same national pedestal she started from.

She received an emotional farewell from national teammates and several others, with a pleasant standing ovation from fans, officials, and wrestling stakeholders

Oborududu, in her farewell speech, said: “I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) led by the President Daniel Igali and the board members, my teammates, and family.

“After the Olympics at Paris, I thought of retiring, but the President suggested I retire officially at the NSF in Abeokuta where I made my first appearance as a young wrestler back in 2006.

“I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa because it was the first-ever medal from an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics.

”I hope more will come for our future wrestlers.”

In his goodwill remarks, Igali described Oborududu as an exceptional and absolute professional beyond being an athlete.

“The type of Blessing (we have here) is not easy to come by, and not easy to replace. I have been getting questions like ‘how are you going to replace Blessing?’.

”But the thing is you can’t replace Blessing. You may have another athlete, but not Blessing.

“That’s why I say this is bitter-sweet because the selfish part of you wants athletes like her to compete forever.

“This is because, for you, it is not just to have any athlete that does well, but one who has that mindset, discipline and pureness for the sport and most of these wrestlers you see stay with her in her house and she takes care of them as a duty.

“She is like a big sister to them, and that only for me is more than being a champion on the mat.”

Speaking also, Hannah Reuben who led the tribute of teammates, stated her heartfelt admiration for Oborududu, acknowledging her dedication, achievements, and impact.

She expressed gratitude for her years of service and being a great teammate and captain, and wishing her well in her future endeavours.
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