The first day of the national trials for wrestlers failed to record any major upset with top names like Mercy Genesis and Esther Kolowale claiming impressive victories.
Commonwealth champion, Genesis defeated Edo State’s Peace Paul in the 50kg category with a pinfall.
Kolawole, who is an African champion, overpowered Precious Teibril of the Nigerian Army.
In other high-profile matches, Ogunsanya Christiana of Ondo State humbled Bekefula Tarilyefa from Bayelsa State in the 53kg while Mercy Adekuoroye of Ondo State defeated Favour Opuene from Bayelsa State in the 59kg.
There were also wins for Idirisi Adijat (Kano), Ebipade Mugaenbola (Bayelsa), Duck Enenibodi (Edo) and Paristan Alfred of NSCDC.
In Greco-Roman, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa, Ebi Akere from Bayelsa and Okuro Augustine of Delta secured first positions in the 87kg, 97kg and 130kg respectively.
President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Champion Daniel Igali commended the individual determination of the athletes.
Igali, however, expressed concerns over the lack of camping for the athletes which showed in their performance as he stressed that they ought to be in camp two months before the African Games in March.
The Olympic champion therefore called on the Federal Ministry of Sports to hasten preparations for the athletes in a bid to improve maximum output at the African Games in Accra, Ghana.
