By Unutame Andrew
The mat has witnessed greatness for nearly two decades, but on a historic night in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the curtains fell on one of Nigeria’s most remarkable athletic careers. Wrestling icon Blessing Oborodudu officially brought her glittering journey to a close—signing off with a golden finish at the 2025 National Sports Festival.
The 2020 Olympic silver medalist and twelve-time African champion delivered a powerful and emotional farewell, representing Bayelsa State in the women’s 68kg category. With unwavering dominance, she defeated Rita Odede of Nasarawa to claim yet another gold medal—her final one as a competitive athlete.
But this moment was far more than just another victory. It marked the end of an extraordinary era for Nigerian wrestling, and the final bow of a trailblazer whose story inspired a generation. From her debut at the 2006 Gateway Games as a secondary school student, to becoming a continental powerhouse, Oborodudu’s rise has been nothing short of legendary.
Her turning point came in 2007 when she was invited to the national camp after impressing at local inter-house competitions. Despite her parents’ initial resistance—believing wrestling was a sport for men—Oborodudu drew strength from the legacy of Canadian-Nigerian Olympic champion Daniel Igali, and never looked back.
Since then, she has dominated the National Sports Festival circuit, winning gold at every edition she participated in: Kaduna 2009, Rivers 2011, Lagos 2012, Abuja 2018, Edo 2021, Delta 2022, and now, Abeokuta 2025.
“I’m grateful for this journey. Wrestling has been my life, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” Oborodudu said after her final match. “This is the perfect ending.”
The wrestling events at the Obafemi Awolowo Square in Remo, Ikenne, began Monday under high anticipation. But the spotlight belonged to one woman. On Wednesday, an overwhelming ovation is expected as fans, athletes, and sports lovers gather to celebrate a career that changed the face of Nigerian wrestling.
Blessing Oborodudu may be retiring from competition, but her name is etched forever in Nigerian and African sports history. This is not just a goodbye—it’s the crowning of a queen whose legacy will inspire generations to come
