Nigeria female wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has emerged world number one at the 55kg category following adjustment to re-align the rankings with entry lists for the August 21-26 world championships.
This information is obtained on the official website of the United World Wrestling on Saturday.
The feat was possible for the 2014 Commonwealth gold medalist as world champion Mayu Mukaida of Japan drops to 53kg in the championship.
Adekuoroye, second-ranked last month at 55kg, won the Golden Grand Prix Final last November in Baku and also claimed a gold medal at the 2017 African senior championships in April.
An elated Adekuoroye in a telephone interview attributed her feat to God and the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire ministry (MFM) for always coming to her aid in attending international Championships.
“I’m amazed and perplexed about this current ranking. I want to thank my father in the Lord, Dr Daniel Olukoya who have always believed in me. I’m forever greatful”, she told ACLSports.
Also speaking, the female head coach of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Purity Akuh, dedicated the ranking to the Wrestling President, General Overseer MFM and hard work.
“It did not come through anyone but the President of the federation and Dr D.K Olukoya for always been there for the wrestler. Anything we call on him, he always comes to our aid.
“My appreciation goes to the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson for giving Adekuoroye the platform to win at the Africa Senior Championships last April,” Purity said.
Efforts to contact the President Nigeria wrestling federation, Daniel Igali, proved abortive.
The President in previous chat told our correspondent that he wants Nigeria to be ranked among top athletes but this can only be made possible by their attendance of international tournaments.
