Nigeria’s John Emmanuel is ranked number one at the 70kg in freestyle, according to the United World Wrestling (UWW). Emmanuel a Two time Africa champion, retained his crown at the African Championships held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel is closely by Uzbekistan’s Ikhtiyor Navruzov with 24 Points, while Amr Reda Ramadan Hussen of Egypt is in third position with 22 Points.
In the absence of Guinea-Bissau’s Augusto Medina, All Africa Games Gold medalist, Melvin Bibo in the 86kg, narrowly missed out of the number one spot by a point, garnering 23 points despite winning the Africa title in the 86kg as Hassan Aliazam Yazdanicharati of Iran had 24 Points to be the World number one.
In third position is Mongolia’s Uitumen Orgodol with 22 Points while Hein Jakobus Janse Van Rensburg of South Africa with 21 Points.
In the 79kg, Nigeria’s Agiomor Ekerekeme broke into the World stage after winning his first African title at the continental championships held in Port Harcourt. The feat earned him a place at the World Ranking as he’s currently placed third with 20 points. Uzbekistan’s Rashid Kurbanov and Ezzetollah Akabarizarinkolaei of Iran are first and second respectively.
Team Nigeria male wrestling captain, Amas Daniel occupied 5th in the 65kg weight category behind Kazakhstan’s Daulet Niyazbekov, Daichi Takatani of Japan, Temurjon Usmonohunov of Uzbekistan and Bajrang Bajrang of India.
Other Nigerians in the UWW ranking incudes; Welson Ebikewenimo (57kg) ranked 10th, Robert Daufa (92kg) ranked 7th Olympian Soso Tamara (97kg) ranked 9th and 2010 Commonwealth gold medalist, Sinivie Boltic (125kg) ranked 9th in the World.
