2021 Tokyo Olympic silver medalist and14-time African champion, Blessing Oborududu, has retired from wrestling after 19 years of near invincibility on the mats.

who won her final bout to clinch gold for Bayelsa at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, ended what many of her fans described as an illustrious career in wrestling.

The Bayelsa born wrestler received emotional farewell from national teammates with pleasant standing ovation from fans, officials, and wrestling stakeholders

An emotional Blessing in her farewell speech expressed appreciation to everyone who has been part of her journey, including the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel Igali and the board members, her teammates, and family.

“After the Olympics, I thought of retiring, but the President suggested I retire officially at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta where I made my first appearance as a young wrestler back in 2006.

“I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa because it was the first ever medal from an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for our future wrestlers,” Oborududu said.

President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr. Daniel Igali described Oborududu as an exceptional athlete.

“The type of Blessing is not easy to come by, and not easy to replace. That’s why I say bitter-sweet because the selfish part of you wants an athlete like this to compete forever because for you is not just to have any athlete that does well, but one who has that mindset, discipline, and pureness for the sport.

“Most of these wrestlers you see stay with her in her house and she takes care of them as a duty. She is like a big sister to them, and that only for me is more than being a champion on the mat,” Igali stated.