Two times World Bronze medalist, Ifeoma Iheanacho has been appointed coach/mentor of the junior female team.
The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali said the appointment of the 30-year old is with immediate effect.
She is expected to join the team in Port Harcourt, where they are preparing for the forth-coming 2018 African Wrestling Championships in the Rivers State capital.
Igali noted that the presence of the multiple-African Champion in camp will serve as a motivation for the younger athletes in their quest to achieve success.
“We hope that she would impart her knowledge and make them (younger athletes) aspire to greater achievements,” the World Champion said.
“Moreover, in wrestling, we want to ensure that athletes, who have performed creditably for this country in a historic fashion, like she has, play vital roles in the development of younger athletes.” Nigeria will be sending an unprecedented 90-man team, comprising of 30 cadet, 30 Junior and 30 senior wrestlers to the tournament in Port Harcourt from 7-11th February, 2018.
Iheanacho is Nigeria’s first-ever medalist (bronze) at the World Wrestling Championships, a feat she achieved in 2009 in Herning, Denmark, while fighting in the 67kg weight category, also winning a second bronze medal for Nigeria at the World Championships, a year later in Moscow, Russia.
During her active day, Iheanacho also known as Aboy was known for using her upper body like a Greco-Roman Wrestler to ouster her opponents. She defeated the now celebrated American Champion, Adeline Gray at the 2010 World Wrestling Championship.
