Odunayo Adekuroye Bags Gold Medal In Wrestling At The Commonwealth Games
Odunayo Adekuroye of Nigeria won the gold medal in women’s 57 kg freestyle wrestling at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
On Friday in Birmingham, Adekuroye defeated Anshu Malik of India 7-3 to lead Nigeria to the gold medal.
Although under pressure, the 28-year-old stood up to the Indian challenge.
After winning the 100-meter hurdles world championship last month, Tobi Amusan said she is “exhausted” earlier in the day. However, on Friday, the Nigerian world record holder looked good as she easily advanced to the Commonwealth Games final.
Amusan started the defense of her title by topping the qualifying times in windy conditions with a time of 12.40 seconds.
“The mental part is there and the physical part is also done,” said Amusan. “But I’ve been so exhausted after those championships.
“I’m just trying to hang in there and finish the season strong.”
The 25-year-old Nigerian, who wore a tracksuit with the slogan “No Plastic Waste,” is the favorite, but there are a number of competitors who could cause her trouble.
Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tapper moved calmly forward and won her heat in 12.68 seconds.
The other two contenders, Danielle Williams from Jamaica and Cindy Sember from England, are also relaunching their careers.
Sember, who had been unable to improve beyond her fourth-place showing at the Rio 2016 Olympic final, was more like her old self as she breezed past her heat in 12.67 seconds.
She gave the 29-year-old Williams, who won the world championship in 2015, a spotless pair of heels.
