The 30 wrestlers were decided over the weekend in Warri, Delta State, following the conclusion of the 2nd Chief E. K. Clark National Wrestling Championship.

Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) President Daniel Igali, an Olympic gold medallist for Canada at Sydney 2000, expressed satisfaction that the Federation had assembled the best wrestlers possible to double the medal tally won at Delhi 2010.

In 2010, Nigeria won 13 medals in wrestling, including three gold, finishing third on the wrestling medals table.

Despite this, at London 2012 the team failed to secure a single medal with Igali claiming last month he feared the nation's lack of preparation could see a repeat of the failure at the Olympic Games.

"I won't say we are having an ideal preparation for the Commonwealth Games," he said.

"I can't really tell you the critical preparation we have made.

"As someone who has been there for some time now, you can't manufacture medals, you have to prepare and it is what you put in that you will get out of it.

"I'm a bit worried about our preparation for the Games."

Nigeria's wrestlers won 13 medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games but failed to medal at all during London 2012 ©Getty Images



Despite these earlier worries, Igali, according to Nigerian media reports, has expressed his confidence the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be Nigeria's best outing.

Of the 30 wrestlers, 16 are male and 14 female with the National Sports Commission asking each of those selected to travel to the capital Abuja today in order to begin preparations for the Games.

Competing for Nigeria at the lightest women's category, 48 kilogramme, will be Nweke Rosemary and Samuel Bose, while Adekuoroye Odunayo and Mercy Genesis will feature in the 53kg.

The remaining female competitors consist of Nwoye Ifeoma and Makanjuola Bisola at 55kg; Adeniyi Aminat and Opuene Patience at 58kg; Blessing Oborududu and Dawodu Balikasu at 63kg; Rueben Annah and Iheanacho Ifeoma at 69kg; and Blessing Asiah and Helen Okus at 75kg.

In the male category are Ebikewenimo Welsen and Hudson Wariebi in 57kg, while Amas Daniel and John Emmanuel will wrestle for gold in 61kg.

Samson Clarkson and Romeo Joseph will compete at 65kg, with Isaac Boaz and Arasafa Ziwareten set to fight at 70kg.

In the 74kg category are Melvin Biobo and Job Jordan, and in 86kg Dick Adibo and Adewu Asanaka, with Soso Tamara and Kurah Goerge in 97kg, and Sinivie Boitic and Ikpom Paul in 120kg.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
June 2014: Team England reveals 13-strong wrestling team for Glasgow 2014
May 2014: Oceania champion Tayla Ford among six wrestlers to represent New Zealand at Glasgow 2014