Nigeria has recorded a historic achievement in wrestling after former national champion Mapsin Elias Mika won the country’s first-ever medal at the Veterans World Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan.
Mika secured the bronze medal in the 70kg Greco-Roman category, marking a major milestone for Nigerian wrestling on the international stage.
The 2026 championship, organised by United World Wrestling (UWW), is taking place from October 6 to 11, with veteran athletes aged 35 and above competing in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling.
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated Mika on the achievement, describing it as a moment of pride for Nigeria and the country’s wrestling community.
Adeniyi also commended veteran coach Babatunde James, popularly known as Tunde King, for his role in guiding and supporting Mika during the competition.
According to the federation president, the achievement highlights the dedication of veteran athletes and their continued contributions to the development of wrestling, even after their years of active competition.
He added that experienced former athletes could play an important role in mentoring younger wrestlers and helping to develop future champions.
The NWF also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting veterans’ participation in the sport and recognising the contributions of former wrestlers.
Mika’s bronze medal is more than a personal achievement. It represents a new chapter in Nigeria’s wrestling history and serves as a reminder that dedication, experience and passion can continue to produce results long after an athlete’s early competitive years.
His historic accomplishment has given Nigerian wrestling another reason to celebrate and offered hope to aspiring athletes across the country.
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